bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The REPRISE Project: Protocol for an Evaluation of Reproducibility and Replicability in Syntheses of Evidence
Authors: Page Matthew J , Moher David , Fidler Fiona M , Higgins Julian PT , Brennan Sue E , Haddaway Neal R , Hamilton Daniel G , Kanukula Raju , Karunananthan Sathya , Maxwell Lara J , McDonald Steve , Nakagawa Shinichi , Nunan David , Tugwell Peter , Welch Vivian A , McKenzie Joanne E
Published: January 2021

Background: Investigations of transparency, reproducibility and replicability in science have been directed largely at individual studies. It is just as critical to explore these issues in syntheses of studies, such as systematic reviews, given their influence on decision making and future research. We aim to explore various aspects relating to the transparency, reproducibility and replicability of several components of systematic reviews with meta-analysis of the effects of health, social, behavioural and educational interventions.Methods: The REPRISE (REProducibility and Replicability In Syntheses of Evidence) project consists of four studies. We will evaluate the completeness of reporting and sharing of review data, analytic code and other materials in a random sample of 300 systematic reviews of interventions published in 2020 (Study 1). We will survey authors of systematic reviews to explore their views on sharing review data, analytic code and other materials and their understanding of and opinions about replication of systematic reviews (Study 2). We will then evaluate the extent of variation in results when we (a) independently reproduce meta-analyses using the same computational steps and analytic code (if available) as used in the original review (Study 3), and (b) crowdsource teams of systematic reviewers to independently replicate a subset of methods (searches for studies, selection of studies for inclusion, collection of outcome data, and synthesis of results) in a sample of the original reviews; 30 reviews will be replicated by one team each and two reviews will be replicated by 15 teams (Study 4). Discussion: The REPRISE project takes a systematic approach to determine how reliable systematic reviews of interventions are. We anticipate that results of the REPRISE project will inform strategies to improve the conduct and reporting of future systematic reviews.
Risk Factors for Severe Cases of Inpatients with COVID-19 in Henan Province, China: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: LI Xiaoliang , Lei Xiaoli , Wang Junli , Kou Lijie , Yang Zhigang
Published: January 2021

Rationale: Our pilot study suggested that coexisting cerebrovascular diseases on admission with respiratory rate greater than 24 breaths per min, and LDH greater than 245U/L may be risk factors for death among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Henan province, China. Whether these risk factors are associated with severe illness in inpatiente with COVID-19 is yet unclear.Background: To explore risk factors associated with severe cases in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Henan province, ChinaMethods: This study was a multicenter retrospective cohort study. A total of 112 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to Henan Provincial People's Hospital and Anyang Infectious Disease Hospital from February 3 to March 31, 2020. These patients were confirmed by SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test. Demographic, epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data, imaging changes, and definite severity typing of illness (severe cases or non-severe cases) were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between severe cases and non-severe cases. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to explore the risk factors associated with in-hospital severe cases.Results: A total of 104 patients (55 from Henan Provincial People's Hospital and 57 from Anyang Infectious Disease Hospital) were included in this study, of whom 62 (59.6%) were non-severe cases and 42 (40.4%) were severe cases. Multivariate regression showed increasing odds of in-hospital severe cases associated with age ³65 years (odds ratio 6.535 [95% CI, 1.365-31.295]; p=0.019), coexisting diabetes (11.165 [1.142-109.172], p=0.038), cough (17.494 [2.971-102.995]; p=0.002), increased procalcitonin (0.05-0.25ng/L) (9.640 [2.162-42.982]; p=0.003) and LDH greater than 245U/L (11.040 [2.661-45.808]; p=0.001) on admission.Conclusions: Age ³65 years, coexisting diabetes, cough, increased PCT, and LDH greater than 245U/L on admission may be risk factors for severe cases among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Henan Province, China.
Keystone Genes Confer Superior Performance in Hyperthermophilic Composting
Authors: Cui Peng , Liao Hanpeng , Ai Chaofan , Xu Zhongbing , Chen Zhi , Yu Zhen , Zhou Shungui
Published: January 2021

Background: Large amounts of organic solid wastes originating from anthropogenic activities have imposed enormous pressure on the environment and human health. Our previous studies showed that compared with conventional thermophilic composting (cTC), hyperthermophilic composting (hTC) exhibits superior performance in organic solid waste disposal by providing advantages such as improved composting temperature, nitrogen conservation (NC), nitrous oxide (N2O) mitigation and germination index (GI). However, it remains unclear how hTC communities drive improved performance. Here, we used GeoChip 5.0M coupled with high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing data to investigate the variations in carbon (C)-degrading and nitrogen (N)-cycling genes and microbial communities and their linkages with selected performance indices (composting temperature, NC, N2O emission rate and GI) in hTC and cTC in factory-scale experiments, aiming to identify the keystone biotic drivers for the improved performance. Results: We showed that hTC significantly altered functional composition structures compared with those in cTC, which was driven by taxonomic shift in microbial communities. Specifically, hTC significantly increased the relative abundance of C-degrading genes and decreased the relative abundance of N-cycling genes during composting. These significantly shifted genes were the keystone genes dominating the improved performance of hTC, as indicated by a random forest model. Furthermore, network and partial least squares path modeling analysis suggested that the keystone genes continued to dominantly drive the improved performance after multiple biotic (community composition and other genes) drivers were simultaneously considering in hTC. Conclusions: Together, our study provides evidence that keystone genes potentially play a pivotal role in improving composting temperature, N2O mitigation, NC and GI in hTC and emphasizes the importance of understanding the variation in functions for targeted manipulation of composting practices.
Microbiome Structure in Biofilms From a Volcanic Island in Maritime Antarctica Investigated by Genome-Centric Metagenomics and Metatranscriptomics
Authors: Centurion Victor Borin , Campanaro Stefano , Basile Arianna , Treu Laura , Oliveira Valéria Maia
Published: January 2021

BackgroundAntarctica is the coldest and driest continent on Earth, characterized by polyextreme environmental conditions, where species adapted to grow and thrive at low values of temperature, low nutrient concentration and relative humidity and high UV radiation form complex networks of interactions. Microbial communities growing in these harsh environments can form biofilms that help the associated species to survive in such harsh conditions. The knowledge on biofilms microbial community in the literature is extensive, however, most studies are focused on the dominant species and are not able to disclose the whole functional complexity and entire metabolic potential. MethodsTo overcome these limitations, the present study used genome-centric metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to analyze two biofilm samples collected in Deception Island, Maritime Antarctica. Species abundance and their functional activity were correlated with environmental parameters. Differential gene expression analysis based on the negative binomial distribution of the DeSeq2 package was used to compare the abundance of metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) in the biofilms (BR and BG) and the gene expression of the metatranscriptomic analysis (p-value 0.05).ResultsThe results showed a complex microbiome represented by 180 MAGs, highly divergent according to temperature, pH, and position along a transect of Whalers Bay sediments. Metabolic evaluations allowed to predict polyphenols and chitin as primary substrate feeding. The potential metabolic interactions were investigated using metabolic flux balance analysis and revealed that purple bacteria are the taxonomic group with the highest number of correlations with other bacteria. This behavior is well represented by the MAG WB_595 belonging to Alphaproteobacteria. ConclusionsDue to predicted mixothrophic behavior of Alaproteobacteria_WB_595 MAG, it may represent a crucial member of the microbiome, and it has the potential to support the heterotrophic species in the biofilms. Metatranscriptomics revealed that the chaperone system and proteins counteracting reactive oxygen species and toxic compounds have a key role in the maintenance of bacterial cell homeostasis in sediments of volcanic origin.
Sero-pravelence of SARS CoV-2 IgM and IgG Antibodies Amongst Blood Donors in Nigeria
Authors: Ifeorah Ijeoma , Nna Emmanuel , Okeke Uchenna , Ivo Emo , Ayemoba Ojor , Yunusa Thairu , Ochagu Ogbeche , Ugwu Ngozi , Okafor Henrietta , Nnamani Amaka , Iloanusi Nneka , Onu Chika , Okoye Ifeoma
Published: January 2021

Background: Currently in Nigeria, SARS CoV-2 infection control measures rely solely on RT-PCR testing of cases with high index of suspicion for COVID-19. The sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in the populations remains unknown. We aimed to determine the sero-prevalence of SARS CoV-2 IgM and IgG in screened blood donors in two selected cities in Nigeria. Methods: A total of 113 blood samples from screened and accepted blood donors were tested for both SARS CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies using NOVATECH ELISA kits from Eurofins Germany. Results: The age range of donor was 21-48 years. Males were 96 %. Of the 113 blood donors 42% were positive for SARS CoV-2 IgG while 41% were positive for SARS CoV-2 IgM respectively. Only 11% and 19% of blood donors had equivocal test result for IgG and IgM respectively.Conclusions: Nearly a half of accepted blood donors in Nigeria had been exposed to SARS CoV-2 infection. Although it is not a blood transmissible infection, the blood banks must take adequate preventive measures to prevent spread amongst the bank staff and potential donors. It also implies a wider spread of the infection in Nigeria.Trial Registration: The study does not require registration.
Peptic Ulcer Does Not Increase the Risk of Stroke: a Longitudinal Follow-up Study Using a National Sample Cohort
Authors: Choi Hyo Geun , Soh Jae Seung , Lim Jae Sung , Sim Song Yong , Lee Suk Woo
Published: January 2021

Background: Studies have reported that several gastrointestinal diseases increase the risk of stroke. We aimed to evaluate the risk of stroke in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) using a national sample cohort from South Korea. Methods: We extracted data entered into the Korean National Health Insurance Service for patients with PUD (n = 129,531) and for 1:1 matched control participants (n = 129,531) and analyzed the risk of stroke using Cox proportional hazard model. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age and sex.Results: The rates of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke were lower in the PUD group than in the control group. In a subgroup analysis according to age, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of PUD for hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke were 0.76 (95% CI = 0.63-0.90) and 0.85 (95% CI = 0.73-0.98) in the < 50-year-old group and 0.72 (95% CI = 0.65-0.80) and 0.84 (95% CI = 0.80-0.89) in the ≥ 50-year-old group, respectively (each p < 0.05). In a subgroup analysis according to sex, the adjusted HRs of PUD were 0.71 (95% CI = 0.63-0.81) and 0.81 (95% CI = 0.5-0.87) in men and 0.75 (95% CI = 0.66-0.86) and 0.88 (95% CI = 0.82-0.95) in women, respectively (each p < 0.05).Conclusions: Our study concluded that PUD does not increase the risk of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke regardless of age and sex.
Diagnostic Accuracy of CBCT Versus Intraoral Imaging for Assessment of Peri‐implant Bone Defects
Authors: Song Dandan , Shujaat Sohaib , Vasconcelos Karla de Faria , Huang Yan , Politis Constantinus , Lambrichts Ivo , Jacobs Reinhilde
Published: January 2021

Background: Early detection of marginal bone loss is vital for treatment planning and prognosis of teeth and implant. This study was conducted to assess diagnostic accuracy of CBCT compared to intra-oral (IO) radiography for detection, classification and measurement of peri-implant bone defects in an animal model.Methods: Fifty-four mandible blocks with implants were harvested from nine male health adult beagle dogs with acquisition of IO, CBCT and micro-CT images from all samples. Peri-implant bone defects from 16 samples were diagnosed using micro-CT and classified into 3 defect categories: dehiscence (n = 5), infrabony defect (n = 3) and crater-like defect (n = 8). Following training and calibration of the observers, they asked to detect location (mesial, distal, buccal, lingual) and shape of the defect (dehiscence, horizontal defect, vertical defect, carter-like defect) utilizing both IO and CBCT images. Both observers assessed defect depth and width on IO, CBCT and micro-CT images at each side of peri-implant bone defect via CT-analyzer software. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and a p value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Overall, there was a high diagnostic accuracy for detection of bone defects with CBCT images (sensitivity: 100%/100%), while IO images showed a reduction in accuracy (sensitivity: 69%/63%). Similarly, diagnostic accuracy for defect classification was significantly higher for CBCT, whereas IO images were unable to correctly identify vestibular dehiscence, with incorrect assessment of half of the infrabony defects. For accuracy of measuring defect depth and width, a higher correlation was observed between CBCT and gold standard micro-CT (r = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.94), whereas a lower correlation was seen for IO images (r = 0.82, 95%CI: 0.67-0.91).Conclusions: The diagnostic accuracy and reliability of CBCT was found to be superior to IO imaging for the detection, classification and measurement of peri-implant bone defects. The application of CBCT adds substantial information related to the peri-implant bone defect diagnosis and decision-making which cannot be achieved with conventional IO imaging.
Medical education too: sexual harassment within the educational context of medicine – insights of undergraduates
Authors: Schoenefeld Eva , Marschall Bernhard , Paul Berit , Ahrens Helmut , Sensmeier Janina , Coles Jan , Pfleiderer Bettina
Published: January 2021

Background: Assessment of the presence and characteristics of sexual harassment in academic medicine is a global issue. Only limited international data are available so far. Methods: Aim: To assess the extent of sexual harassment and identify the perpetrators in the student population of the medical school of Münster, Germany. A survey was undertaken, using the Medical Women’s International Association sexual harassment questionnaire translated into German. The anonymous online questionnaire was sent as a link to all medical undergraduates at Münster Medical School via a mailing list between 1 October and 30 November 2018. Identifying or potentially identifying data were not collected. Data were analysed by descriptive statistical methods such as categorical variables. Baseline characteristics, e.g. answers by male or female medical students, were correlated with their individual sexual harassment experiences and perpetrator groups by means of univariate analysis. Results: A total of 2162 medical students were asked to participate, with 623 (28.8%) completing the survey. Sexual harassment is a significant issue among medical students at Münster Medical School with over half (58.9%) of all undergraduates being exposed to sexually harassing behaviour. In total, 31.8% of all participants reported having experienced unwanted physical sexual contact such as unwanted physical touching, with 87.6% of the victims being female. Overall, 41.3% personally experienced verbal sexual harassment of which 87.4% were female. Furthermore, 8.5% of undergraduates faced forced sexual contact such as oral, anal or vaginal penetration, intercourse and rape, with all victims being female. Perpetrators in these cases were mostly male medical superiors (7.0%) and male patients (18.3%). In general, most perpetrators were patients, followed by medical superiors and educators, and less frequently by colleagues. Conclusions: Sexual harassment in medical education and the medical workplace is a significant problem in a German medical school. Most students experiencing sexual harassment are females. Female students also experience the more serious forms of sexual harassment more often.
Transcriptome Analysis of the Transdifferentiation of canine BMSCs into Insulin Producing Cells
Authors: WANG JINGLU , Dai Pengxiu , Zou Tong , Lv Yangou , Zhao Wen , Zhang Xinke , Zhang Yihua
Published: January 2021

Background Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are a potential resource for the clinical therapy of certain diseases. Canine, as a companion animal, living in the same space with human, is an ideal new model for human diseases research. Because of the high prevalence of diabetes, alternative transplantation islets resource (i.e. insulin producing cells) for diabetes treatment will be in urgent need, which makes our research on the transdifferentiation of Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into insulin producing cells become more important.Result In this study, we completed the transdifferentiation process and achieved the transcriptome profiling of five samples with two biological duplicates, namely, “BMSCs”, “islets”, “stage1”, “stage2” and “stage3”, and the latter three samples were achieved on the second, fifth and eighth day of induction. A total of 11,530 differentially expressed transcripts were revealed in the profiling data. The enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed several signaling pathways that are essential for regulating proliferation and transdifferentiation, including focal adhesion, ECM–receptor interaction, tight junction, protein digestion and absorption, and the Rap1 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the obtained protein–protein interaction network and functional identification indicating involvement of three genes, SSTR2, RPS6KA6, and VIP could act as a foundation for further research.Conclusion In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey of the transdifferentiation of canine BMSCs into insulin-producing cells according with the timeline using next-generation sequencing technology. The three key genes we pick out may regulate decisive genes during the development of transdifferentiation of insulin producing cells.
Heterologous Expression of Arabidopsis thaliana rty Gene in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Improves Drought Tolerance
Authors: Li Maofu , Yang Yuan , Raza Ali , Yin Shanshan , Wang Hua , Zhang Yuntao , Dong Jing , Wang Guixia , Zhong Chuanfei , Zhang Hong , Liu Jiashen , Jin Wanmei
Published: January 2021

Background: Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is an important fruit crop worldwide. It was particularly sensitive to drought stress because of their fibrous and shallow root systems. Mutant rty of Arabidopsis thaliana ROOTY (RTY) results in increased endogenous auxin levels, more roots, and shoot growth. It is still unclear whether the rty gene improves stress tolerance in strawberry. Results: rty gene was isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana and placed under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter in the pBI121-rty binary vector carrying the selectable marker of neomycin phosphotransferase Ⅱ (NPT Ⅱ). Seven transgenic lines were confirmed by PCR and western blot analysis. Accumulations of IAA and ABA were significantly increased in the transgenic plants. The endogenous IAA contents were 46.5 ng g–1 and 66.0 ng g–1in control and transgenic plants respectively. The endogenous ABA contents in the control plant were 236.3 ng g–1 and in transgenic plants were 543.8 ng g–1. The production of adventitious roots and trichomes were enhanced in the transgenic plants. Furthermore, transcript levels of the genes including IAA and ABA biosynthetic, and stress-responsive genes, were higher in the transgenic plants than in the control plants under drought conditions. Water use efficiency and a reduced water loss rate were enhanced in the transgenic strawberry plants. Additionally, peroxidase and catalase activities were significantly higher in the transgenic plants than in the control plants. The experiment results revealed a novel function for rty related to ABA and drought responses. Conclusions: The rty gene improved hormone-mediated drought tolerance in transgenic strawberry. The heterologous expression of rty in strawberry improved drought tolerance by promoting auxin and ABA accumulation. These phytohormones together brought about various physiological changes that improved drought tolerance via increased root production, trichome density, and stomatal closure. Our results suggested that a transgenic approach can be used to overcome the inherent trade-off between plant growth and drought tolerance by enhancing water use efficiency and reducing water loss rate under water shortage conditions.
Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of WHOQOL-HIV Bref Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Ali , Saqlain Muhammad , Akhtar Nasim , Hashmi Furqan K , Blebil Ali , Dujaili Juman , Umair Malik M , Bukhsh Allah
Published: January 2021

Background Reliable Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) assessment will be useful in identifying health issues and in identifying health care actions. Due to the lack of a psychometrically valid tool in Urdu, we aim to translate and examine the psychometric and cross-cultural adaptation of WHOQOL HIV Bref among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Pakistan. Methods The standard forward-backwards translation technique was used to convert English version of the WHOQOL HIV Bref into Urdu. After cognitive debriefing, final Urdu version of instrument was developed. Based on the principle of at least 5 subjects for each item, a sample of 182 patients was used using a universal random sampling technique from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. The Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were estimated to assess internal validity and reliability of the translated version. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out to determine the factor structure and independent associations between the instrument domains and CD-4 T-cell count were assessed using multivariable linear regressionResults High Cronbach alpha 0.93 was found for all WHOQOL HIV Bref facets. The test-retest reliability demonstrated a statistically significant ICC ranged from 0.88 – 0.98 (p < 0.001). In known group validity, lower CD-4 lymphocytes count was significantly related to poor scores for all six domains (p < 0.001). Similarly, symptomatic subjects had significantly lower scores compared to asymptomatic subjects on the physical, psychological, social relationship and independence domains (p < 0.05). Statistically significant positive correlation of all six domains of instrument with CD4 cells count (p < 0.001), exhibiting patients with higher CD-4 cells will have higher mean scores of all domains. Factor analysis revealed 5 domains, including physical health, psychological health, social relationship, environmental, and spiritual health. Multivariable linear regression analysis reported; only physical, psychological health and environment health domains were found significantly associated with higher CD-4 lymphocytes count (Beta = 0.121, p < 0.001, Beta = 0.103, p = 0.002, and Beta = 0.032, p = 0.032).Conclusion Findings suggested that the Urdu version of WHOQOL HIV Bref is a psychometrically valid and culturally well-adapted HRQoL measurement tool for PLWHA in Pakistan.
Association between surgical volumes and hospital mortality in patients: a living donor liver transplantation single center experience
Authors: Hsieh Chia-En , Hsu Ya-Lan , Lin Kuo-Hua , Lin Ping-Yi , Hung Yu-Ju , Lai Yi-Chun , Weng Li-Chueh , Chen Yao-Li
Published: January 2021

Background: Many factors cause hospital mortality (HM) after liver transplantation (LT).Methods: We performed a retrospective research in a single center from October 2005 to June 2019. The study included 463 living donor LT patients. They were divided into a no-HM group (n=433, 93.52%) and an HM group (n=30, 6.48%). We used logistic regression analysis to determine how clinical features and surgical volume affected HM. We regrouped patients based on periods of surgical volume and analyzed the clinical features.Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that donor age (OR= 1.050, 95% CI: 1.011– 1.091, p=0.012), blood loss (OR=1.000, 95% CI: 1.000–1.000, p=0.004), and annual surgical volumes being < 30 LTs (OR=2.540, 95% CI: 1.011–6.381, p=0.047) were significant risk factors. A comparison of years based on surgical volume found that when the annual surgical volumes were at least 30 the recipient age (p=0.023), donor age (p=0.026), and ABO-incompatible operations (p<0.001) were significantly higher and blood loss (p<0.001), operative time (p<0.001), intensive care unit days (p<0.001), length of stay (p=0.011), rate of re-operation (p<0.001), and HM (p=0.030) were significantly lower compared to when the annual surgical volumes were less than 30.Conclusions: Donor age, blood loss and an annual surgical volume < 30 LTs were significant pre- and peri-operative risk factors. Hospital mortality and annual surgical volume were associated with statistically significant differences; surgical volume may impact quality of care and transplant outcomes.
Smartphone-based dispatch of Community First Responders to Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest - Statements from an International Consensus Conference
Authors: Metelmann Camilla , Metelmann Bibiana , Kohnen Dorothea , Brinkrolf Peter , Andelius Linn , Böttiger Bernd W , Burkart Roman , Hahnenkamp Klaus , Krammel Mario , Marks Tore , Müller Michael P , Prasse Stefan , Stieglis Remy , Strickmann Bernd , Thies Karl
Published: January 2021

Background: Over the past decade Smartphone-based activation (SBA) of Community First Responders (CFR) to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) has gained much attention and popularity throughout Europe. Various programmes have been established, and interestingly there are considerable differences in technology, responder spectrum and the degree of integration into the prehospital emergency services. It is unclear whether these dissimilarities affect outcome. This paper reviews the current state in five European countries, reveals similarities and controversies, and presents consensus statements generated in an international conference with the intention to support public decision making on future strategies for SBA of CFR.Methods: In a consensus conference a three-step approach was used: (i) presentation of current research from five European countries; (ii) workshops discussing evidence amongst the audience to generate consensus statements; (iii) anonymous real-time voting applying the modified RAND-UCLA Appropriateness method to adopt or reject the statements. The consensus panel aimed to represent all stakeholders involved in this topic.Results: While 21 of 25 generated statements gained approval, consensus was only found for 5 of them. One statement was rejected but without consensus. Members of the consensus conference confirmed that CFR save lives. They further acknowledged the crucial role of emergency medical control centres and called for nationwide strategies. Conclusions: Members of the consensus conference acknowledged that smartphone-based activation of CFR to OHCA saves lives. The statements generated by the consensus conference may assist the public, healthcare services and governments to utilise these systems to their full potential, and direct the research community towards fields that still need to be addressed.
Natural hybridization between two butterfly bushes in Tibet: dominance of F1 hybrids promotes strong reproductive isolation
Authors: Liao Rongli , Sun Weibang , Ma Yongpeng
Published: January 2021

Background: It has been recognized that certain amount of habitat disturbance is a prerequisite for occurrence of natural hybridization, yet we are currently still not aware of any studies exploring hybridization and reproductive barriers to those plants preferably occupying disturbed habitats. Buddleja plants (also called butterfly bush) generally grow in disturbed habitat, and several species with hybrid origin only on basis of morphology evidence have been proposed. Results: In the present study, we test the natural hybridization origin hypothesis of B. × wardii in two sympatric populations of three taxa including B. × wardii and its parents (B. alternifolia and B. crispa) plus 4 referenced parental populations, using four nuclear genes and three chloroplast intergenic spacers, as well as with 10 morphological characters. Our results suggest that at both sites B. × wardii was likely to be hybrids between B. alternifolia and B. crispa, and moreover, most of the hybrids examined were confirmed to be F1s. This was further supported by morphology as no transgressive characters were detected. B. crispa was found to be the maternal parent in Bahe (BH) population from the cpDNA. While in the Taji (TJ) population was difficult to distinguish the hybridization direction due to the shared haplotypes of cpDNA between B. alternifolia and B. crispa, we still predicted the similar unidirectional hybridization pattern due to results from cross-specific pollination treatments which supported the “SI x SC rule”. Conclusions: Hybrids mainly consisting of F1s can successfully impede gene flow and thus maintain species boundaries of parental species in its typical distribution of Buddleja, i.e. disturbed habitats.
Identification of risk factors for in-hospital death of COVID - 19 pneumonia -- lessions from the early outbreak
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: January 2021

Background: To examine the clinical characteristics and identify independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia.Methods: A total of 156 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia at the Central Hospital of Wuhan from January 29, 2020, to March 20, 2020, and 20 healthy individuals were enrolled in this single-centered retrospective study. The epidemiological parameters, clinical presentations, underlying diseases, laboratory test results, and disease outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: The median age of all enrolled patients was 66 years. At least one underlying disease was identified in 101 COVID-19 patients, with hypertension being the most common one, followed by cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The most common symptoms identified upon admission were fever, cough, dyspnea, and fatigue. Compared to survival cases, patients who died during hospitalization had higher plasma levels of D-dimer, creatinine, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, lactate, and lower percentage of lymphocytes (LYM [%]), platelet count and albumin levels. Most enrolled patients received antibiotics and anti-viral treatment. In addition, 60 patients received corticosteroids, and 51 received intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. 44 patients received noninvasive ventilation and 19 received invasive ventilation. Respiratory failure was the most frequently observed complication (106 [67.9%]), followed by sepsis (103 [66.0%]), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (67 [42.9%]), and septic shock (50 [32.1%]). Multivariable regression suggested that advanced age (OR [odds ratio]=1.098, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.006-1.199, P=0.037), shorter duration from onset to admission (OR= 0.853, 95% CI: 0.750-0.969, P=0.015) and elevated lactate level upon admission (OR= 2.689, 95% CI: 1.044-6.926, P=0.040) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 infection. Meanwhile, increased LYM (%) at admission (OR= 0.787, 95% CI: 0.686-0.903, P=0.001) indicated a better prognosis. Conclusions: In this study, we discovered that age, duration from onset to admission, LYM (%), and lactate level upon admission were independent factors that affecting the in-hospital mortality rate.
Virulence Characteristics and Molecular Epidemiology of Pyogenic Liver Abscess Causing Multidrug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Wenzhou, China
Authors: Wang Zhongyong , Zhang Siqin , Huang Na , Liu Shixing , Xu Ye , Zhao Yajie , Cao Jianming , Zhou Tieli
Published: January 2021

Background: To date, little is known about the virulence characteristics of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) that cause multidrug resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), and this might be due to that these strains are rare. This study aimed to analyze the virulence characteristics and molecular epidemiology of 12 MDR strains obtained from 163 PLA cases in a tertiary teaching hospital from the perspective of clinical characteristics, virulence phenotypes, and genotypes.Results: The results of growth curves, string test, capsular quantification, serum killing test, biofilm formation assay, and infection model revealed that the virulence phenotypes of the 12 PLA-causing MDR K. pneumoniae were similar or even more obvious than those of typical hypervirulent K. pneumoniae strains. These MDR strains were mainly non-K1/K2 serotypes and carried multiple virulence genes. The results of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) illustrated that the MDR strains were categorized into 9 sequence types.Conclusions: This study is the first to analyze the virulence characteristics in PLA-causing MDR strains. Our data exhibited the coexistence of hypervirulence and MDR in PLA-causing MDR K. pneumoniae strains, and the clones of those PLA-causing MDR strains were diverse and scattered. This study first found one ST11 carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent strain in PLA.
The trends of Zika virus-related research from 2014 to 2018: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gwon Yong-Dae , Evander Magnus
Published: January 2021

Background Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne disease discovered in 1947, but with no reports of serious disease for almost 60 years. The first large ZIKV outbreak was reported from Yap island in 2007, then in 2015, the emergence of ZIKV in the Americas highlighted clinical manifestations such as microcephaly and Guillain‐Barré syndrome. On February 1, 2016, WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the magnitude of the outbreak, which then officially ended in November 2016. Methods Ever since the Brazilian authority released the first report of autochthonous transmission of ZIKV in 2015, it became the object of interdisciplinary investigation and global research collaboration. To follow and understand the trend of ZIKV research, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of ZIKV publications during 2014-2018, by using the scientific database Scopus.Results We found that the number of ZIKV related publications increased in 2016, 2017, and 2018 (39.2, 56.5, and 58.5 times, respectively) compared to an average number of publications (23.5) in 2014-2015. During the five years, there was not only an increment of publication numbers but also the area of research was expanded. In 2014-2015, the majority in the research area was epidemiological research with the aims to report the consequence of the ZIKV outbreak, and the trend was shifted to the development of diagnostic methods, antiviral treatment, and vaccine in the following three years. In addition, the number of countries involved in ZIKV research increased from 11 and 13 in 2014-2015 to 59, 67, and 66 in 2016-2018, showing that ZIKV research was changed from a low-level stage to active and globalized in the coming five years.Conclusions Our results highlight the importance of gathering public interest when the world is facing the phase of global health alert, and how it can drive the research field from inactive to active. However, despite this enormous progress in ongoing ZIKV research, many questions are yet to be answered and should be addressed to accelerate the development of effective ZIKV countermeasures. Nevertheless, our systematic review and meta-analysis emphasized the importance of a worldwide multidisciplinary effort to combat outbreaks or unknown infectious disease threats in the future.
Changes in cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-10 levels display better performance in predicting disease relapse than conventional magnetic resonance imaging in primary central nervous system lymphoma 
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zou Dongmei , Yin Jingjing , Zhang Li , Zhang Xiao , Wang Wei , Zhang Meifen , Zhou Daobin , Zhang Wei
Published: January 2021

Backgroud: Establishing diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a challenge. This study evaluated the value of dynamic interleukin (IL)-10 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations for prognosis and relapse prediction in PCNSL. Methods: Consecutive 40 patients newly diagnosed with PCNSL between April 2015 and April 2019 were recruited, and serial CSF specimens were collected by lumbar punctures (LP) or by Ommaya reservoir at diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up phase.Results: We confirmed that an elevated IL-10 cutoff value of 8.2 pg/mL for the diagnosis value of PCNSL showed a sensitivity of 85%. A persistent detectable CSF IL-10 level at the end of treatment was associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS) (836 vs. 481 days, p = 0.049). Within a median follow-up of 13.6 (2–55) months, 24 patients relapsed. IL-10 relapse was defined as a positive conversion in patients with undetectable IL-10 or an increased concentration compared to the last test in patients with sustained IL-10. IL-10 relapse was detected a median of 67 days (28–402 days) earlier than disease relapse in 10/16 patients. Conclusion: This study highlights a new perspective that CSF IL-10 relapse could be a surrogate marker for disease relapse and detected earlier than conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Further evaluation of IL-10 monitoring in PCNSL follow-up is warranted.
Epidemiological Survey and Screening Strategy for Dengue Virus in Blood Donors from Yunnan Province
Authors: LI LING , LI YING , Lu Shaofang , Dong Jing , Xu Haixia , Zhang Qian , Weng Rong , Yin Yundi , He Rui , Fang Peng , Shi Hua , Yu Yinghan , Wu Ji , Liu Zhong , Hess John R.
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND Dengue virus (DENV) infection is increasingly common in southern China and can be transmitted through blood transfusion but is not currently part of donor screening throughout the region. We assessed DENV prevalence among donors at the Xishuangbanna Blood Center, Yunnan, to support development of DENV screening strategies.METHODS Blood samples were collected randomly between June 2019 and August 2019. These were screened for anti-DENV IgG and IgM using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then, all reactive samples and some randomly-chosen non-reactive samples were used to detect DENV RNAs using real-time polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assays. After RT-PCR, samples were further tested for soluble nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) using the colloidal gold method. Donors demographics were also collected and assessed.RESULTS Over the study period, 2,254 donor samples were collected and tested for anti-DENV IgG and IgM by ELISA. This revealed 598 anti-DENV IgG and/or IgM reactive samples, a serological prevalence of 26.53%. Of these, 26 were RT-PCR positive and/or NS1 positive. Significant differences in DENV prevalence were noted by occupation (P=0.001), education (P<0.001), and ethnicity (P=0.026).CONCLUSION The prevalence of DENV in Xishuangbanna Blood Center was higher than most other blood centers that have implemented DENV donor screening. Our study provides first-hand data about the prevalence of DENV and allows the development of a screening strategy for clinical use.
Conditioned medium from primary cytotrophoblasts, primary placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells, or sub-cultured placental tissue promoted HUVECs angiogenesis in vitro
Authors: ma haiying , Jiang Shenglu , Du Lili , Liu Jinfang , Xu Xiaoyan , Lu Xiaomei , Ma Ling , Zhu Hua , Wei Jun , YU Yanqiu
Published: January 2021

Background As a large capillary network, the human placenta plays an important role throughout pregnancy. Placental vascular development is complex and delicate and involves many types of placental cells, such as trophoblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells. There has been no systematic, comparative study on the roles of these two groups of placental cells and the whole placental tissue in the placental angiogenesis. In this study, primary cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) from early-pregnancy and primary human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPDMSCs) from different stages of pregnancy were selected as the cell research objects, and full-term placental tissue was selected as the tissue research object to detect the effects of their conditioned medium (CM) on HUVECs angiogenesis. Methods We successfully isolated primary hPDMSCs and CTBs, collected CM from these placental cells and sub-cultured placental tissue, and then evaluated the effects of the CM on a series of angiogenic processes in HUVECs in vitro. Furthermore, we measured the levels of angiogenic factors in the CM of placental cells or tissue by an angiogenesis antibody array. Results The results showed that not only placental cells but also sub-cultured placental tissue, to some extent, promoted HUVECs angiogenesis in vitro by promoting proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, and tube formation. We also found that primary placental cells in early pregnancy, whether CTBs or hPDMSCs, played more significant roles than those in full-term pregnancy. Placental cells-derived CM collected at 24 hours or 48 hours had the best effect and sub-cultured placental tissue-derived CM collected at 7 days had the best effect among all the different time points. The semiquantitative angiogenesis antibody array showed that 18 of the 43 angiogenic factors had obvious spots in placental cells-derived CM or sub-cultured placental tissue-derived CM, and the levels of 5 factors (including CXCL-5, GRO, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1) were the highest in sub-cultured placental tissue-derived CM. Conclusions CM obtained from placental cells (primary CTBs or hPDMSCs) or sub-cultured placental tissue contained proangiogenic factors and promoted HUVECs angiogenesis in vitro. Therefore, our research is helpful to better understand placental angiogenesis regulation and provides theoretical support for the clinical application of placental components, especially sub-cultured placental tissue-derived CM, in vascular tissue engineering and clinical treatments.
NOX1 inhibition attenuates the development of a pro-tumorigenic environment in experimental hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Vandierendonck Astrid , Degroote Helena , Vanderborght Bart , Verhelst Xavier , Geerts Anja , Devisscher Lindsey , Vlierberghe Hans Van
Published: January 2021

Background The poor prognosis of advanced HCC and limited efficacy of current systemic treatments emphasize the need for new or combined targeted therapies. The development of HCC is a multistage process in which liver injury appears in a complex microenvironment associated with oxidative stress. NOX enzymes are the main source of ROS during hepatocarcinogenesis and NOX1 in particular has shown correlation with poor prognosis of HCC patients. This study evaluates the effect of pharmacological NOX1 inhibition on the development and progression of HCC and its effect on the tumor microenvironment.Methods The in vitro cytotoxic effects of the NOX1 inhibitor GKT771 (Genkyotex) on human Huh7 and Hep3B and murine Hepa1-6 HCC cell lines, the human THP1 monocyte cell line and mouse macrophages were evaluated via MTT, LDH activity and CaspGlo® assays. In order to induce in vivo HCC, male SV129 wild-type mice received weekly IP injections of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) (35 mg/kg) for 20-25 weeks. Mice were treated with vehicle or GKT771 (30 mg/kg) via oral gavage, daily or twice daily, in preventive and therapeutic studies. The liver damage was evaluated for inflammation, angiogenesis, fibrosis and HCC development via histology, RT-qPCR, multiplex analyses and ROS levels. Results A concentration-dependent reduction in cellular activity of the human HCC cell lines without cytotoxicity was observed. GKT771 treatment reduced LPS-induced pro-inflammatory bone-marrow derived macrophage polarization. DEN injections resulted in 100% tumor formation and the induction of HCC markers which could be reduced by twice daily dosing of GKT771 at early onset of advanced HCC. DEN-induced HCC resulted in an upregulation of pro-inflammatory, angiogenic and fibrotic markers which was less pronounced in GKT771 treated mice in all treatment regimens. In line, liver fibrosis was induced in HCC mice and this to a lesser extend upon GKT771 treatment.Conclusion NOX1 inhibition showed to be safe and well tolerated and was able to attenuate the induction of a pro-inflammatory, angiogenic and pro-fibrotic microenvironment suggesting that this might be a promising adjuvant therapeutic strategy in the treatment of advanced HCC.
Analysis of IL-1β, CXCL8, and TNF-α levels in the crevicular fluid of patients with periodontitis or healthy implants
Authors: Aleksandrowicz Paweł , Brzezińska-Błaszczyk Ewa , Kozłowska Elżbieta , Żelechowska Paulina , Borgonovo Andrea Enrico , AGIER JUSTYNA
Published: January 2021

Background: Our study aimed to assess the level of IL-1β, CXCL8, and TNF-α in peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) collected from patients with no clinical symptoms of mucositis or peri-implantitis and compare them with cytokine concentration in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) acquired from patients with healthy periodontium and those with varying severity of periodontitis. Methods: A total of 189 subjects were included in the study, and GCF/PISF samples were checked for IL-1β, CXCL8, and TNF-α levels using an ELISA test.Results: The IL-1β level in PISF in patients with implants was significantly lower than in GCF in patients with mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis. The CXCL8 level in PISF was considerably lower than in patients with moderate periodontitis. The TNF-α level in PISF in patients with implants was markedly higher compared to subjects with healthy periodontium or patients with mild periodontitis. Conclusion: Analysis of cytokine levels may help describe the pathogenesis and early diagnosis of peri-implantitis and prevision in high-risk patients.