bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in Gastrocnemius and Hamstrings Muscle Activity During Peak Knee Flexor Force After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Graft: Preliminary Controlled Study
Authors: SEQUIER Luna , Forelli Florian , TRAULLÉ Maude , VANDEBROUCK Amaury , Duffiet Pascal , Ratte Louis , MAZEAS Jean
Published: September 2020

Background: The optimisation of this return to athletic activity pass by a better understanding of the behaviour of the muscle involved in knee function.In this study, we focused on the muscular activity of the muscle involved in the flexion of the knee. Preciseley on the relation between the muscular activity of the gastrocnemius and the hamstring among the patient that underwent an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring graft.Objective : The objective of the study is to compare, the muscular activity of the flexor knee muscle in patient that underwent an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring autograft and the individuals that have not undergone surgery.Methods : The participants have been divided into two groups : an healthy group and an experimental group that underwent an anterior cruciate ligament recontruction with hamstring graft. The participants had to performe a strenght test on a isocinetik dynamometer. The activity of the medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, femoral biceps and the semitendinosus were mesured during this test.The muscular activity of the muscle mentioned of the individuals in the first group were compared to the ones in the second group via a statistical analysis. Then, a ratio of the activity of the gastrocnemius muscle on the activity of the hamstring was calculated The results of the experimental group were then compared to the results of the control groupResults : The results showed a significative difference activity of the medial gastrocnemius, the femoral biceps and the semitendinosus muscles : the experimental group results were superior to the control group results However the evaluation of the activity reporting has shown significant differences in the two groupsConclusion : This study has allowed us to show a difference in muscular activity of the gastrocnemius and hamstring muscle between patient that underwent an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery and the heathy participants. However our approch has not allowed us to identify the relation between a heihtened gastrocnemius activity and a diminished hamstring activity following an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring graft. Quite on the contrary, we observed a higher activity of the two muscle groups. Nevertheless, it seem to be necessary to have a variation in situations during the analysis of the gastrocnemius muscle to fully understans its purpose in the functional activity of the knee of patient that have undergone an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Influence of Thermoelastic Phenomena on the Energy Conservation in Non-contacting Face Seals
Authors: Blasiak Slawomir
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to develop a mathematical model for non-contacting face seals to analyze how their performance is affected by thermoelastic phenomena. The model was used to solve thermal conductivity and thermoelasticity problems. The primary goal was to calculate the values of thermal deformations of the sealing rings in a non-contacting face seal with a flexibly mounted rotor (FMR) for a turbomachine. The model assumes conversion of mechanical energy into heat in the fluid film. The heat flux generated in the fluid film is transferred first to the sealing rings and then to the fluid surrounding them. An asymmetric distribution of temperature within the sealing rings leads to the occurrence of thermal stresses and, consequently, a change in the rings geometry. The model is solved analytically. The distributions of temperature fields for the sealing rings in the cross-sections are calculated using the Fourier-Bessel series as a superficial function of two variables (r,z). The thermoelasticity problems described by the Navier equations are solved by applying the Boussinesq harmonic functions and Goodier’s thermoelastic displacement potential function. The proposed method involves solving various theoretical and practical problems of thermoelasticity in FMR-type non-contacting face seals. The calculated thermal deformations of the sealing rings are used to determine the most important seal performance parameters such as the leakage rate and power loss.
Role of Phosphoinositides in Cellular Signaling, Functions and Diseases
Authors: Mandal Kalpana
Published: September 2020

In this review we summarize the recent development in understanding the role of PIP2 in cellular function and signaling. We first discuss the effect of PIP2 on actin binding proteins addressing the mechanism of the actin cytoskeletal dynamics such as polymerization or depolymerization of the filamentous network or the coupling to membrane to generate forces. Next, we outline the role of PIP2 in membrane dynamics. We summarized how the membrane organization depends upon PIP2 in the presence of ions or transmembrane proteins that are sensitive to membrane curvature. We discuss how clathrin coated pits interact with adaptor proteins during the endocytosis process, which is facilitated by PIP2. Finally, we discuss the role of PIP2 in cell signaling and diseases.
Chemonucleolysis with Chondroitin Sulfate ABC Endolyase for Treating Lumbar Disc Herniation: Exploration of Prognostic Factors for Good or Poor Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Ishibashi Katsuhiko
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives: Chondroitin sulfate ABC endolyase (condoliase) was launched as a new drug for chemonucleolysis in 2018. There are few Few studies assessed regarding its clinical outcomes, and many important factors matters still remain unclear. The purpose of this This study aimed is to clarify clarify the preoperative conditionsfactors for in which condoliase could beis highly effective. Materials and Methods: Of the 47 patients who received condoliase, 34 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the patients was 33 years. The average disease duration since the onset of the disease was 8.6 months. We evaluated the patients’patient’s low back and leg painpains using a numericalNumerical rating scale (NRS) score at two time points (before therapy and 3 months after therapyadministration). We divided the patients into two groups ([good group [(G]:): NRS score improvement ≥ 50%, poor group (P): NRS score improvement < 50%]. The parameters evaluatedSurvey items were age, disease disease duration, body mass index (BMI), and the presence or absence of positive or negative straight leg raising (SLR) test results. In additionMoreover, the loss of disc height loss and participation of preoperative radiological findings were also evaluated. Results: In terms of low back and leg pain, the G group were in 9/34 (26.5%) and 21/34 (61.8%) patients, respectively. Patients’. Patient’s age (low back pain G/P, 21.0/36.5 years)), was significantly loweryounger in the G group of low back pain (p = 0.001). High intensity change inof the protruded nucleus pulposus (NP) and the spinal canal occupancy by theof NP ≥ 40% were significantly highhighly observed in those withthe leg pain in the G groups (14/21,: p = 0.04; and 13/21,: p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: The efficacy of improvement inof leg pain was significantlyhighly correlated with high intensity change and size of the protruded NP. Condoliase was not significantly effective forto low back pain, but could might be expected have anthe effect onto younger patients.
The Influence of Cinematherapy Against Academic Anxiety in Students
Authors: Rimonda Rubi , Bulantika Siti Zahra , Latifah Hammi , Khasanah Iswatun
Published: September 2020

Students with high academic anxiety can cause a decrease in learning motivation. This situation will damage the learning achievement achieved by students. The purpose of this study was to look at the effect of cinematherapy on reducing student academic anxiety. This study uses a one-group pretest-posttest design experimental design. A total of 7 students in SMP Metro 1 were the subjects in this study. Subject selection uses a purposive sampling technique based on high academic anxiety criteria from the results of the academic anxiety scale score. The data analysis technique used is the Wilcoxon test. Statistical test results show that there is an effect of cinematherapy on the decrease in students' academic anxiety. The findings of this study prove that cinema is effective in reducing student academic anxiety at SMPN 1 in the city of Metro, Lampung.
Keunggulan bersaing dan kinerja pemasaran : orientasi pasarˏ orientasi kewirausahaanˏ adaptasi lingkunganˏ inovasi
Authors: Wahyuningsih Roy
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, environmental adaptation, innovation on competitive advantage and marketing performance in pandanus crafters in Jombang. This research uses a quantitative approach with hypothesis testing conducted using Path Analysis. The population in this study were all pandanus crafters in Jombang with a total of 1634 pandanus crafters with a sample of 128 respondents. The sampling technique used is Proportional Random Sampling. Questionnaires and tests were used in data collection techniques in this study. Researchers use Path Analysis as a tool to analyze data. Based on data analysis, it is found that 1) market orientation has a partial effect on competitive advantage. 2) Entrepreneurial orientation has a partial effect on competitive advantage. 3) Adaptation of the environment has a partial effect on competitive advantage, 4) Innovation has a partial effect on competitive advantage. 5) Market orientation partially influences marketing performance. 6) Entrepreneurial orientation has a partial effect on marketing performance. 7) Environmental adaptation has a partial effect on marketing performance. 8) Innovation has a partial effect on marketing performance. 9) competitive advantage affects the marketing performance of pandanus woven craftsmen in Jombang Regency.

Keywords : competitive advantage, marketing performance.
High Power SESAM Mode-Locked Laser Based on Yb3+:YAlO3 Bulk Crystal
Authors: Rudenkov A. , Kisel V. , Yasukevich A. , Hovhannesyan K. , Petrosyan A. , Kuleshov N.
Published: September 2020

Yttrium aluminium perovskite YAlO3 (YAP) crystal, doped with rare-earth ions, has been extensively studied as a diode-pumped laser host material. The wide interest to rare-earth ions doped YAP crystals is explained by its good thermal and mechanical properties, high natural birefringence, widely used Czochralski  growth method. The aim of this work was to study the Yb3+:YAlO3  crystal as an active medium for high  power mode-locked laser.

Yb3+-doped perovskite-like aluminate crystals have unique spectroscopic and thermooptical properties that allowed using these crystals as an active medium of high power continuous wave (CW) and modelocked (ML) bulk lasers with diode pumping.growth method. The aim of this work was to study the Yb3+:YAlO3  crystal as an active medium for high  power mode-locked laser.

In our work spectroscopic properties of Yb:YAP crystal and laser characteristics in CW and ML regimes are investigated. Maximum output power of 4 W with optical-to-optical efficiency of 16.3 % and 140 fs pulse duration have been obtained for Yb:YAP E //c-polarization with 10 % output coupler transmittance. Tunability range as wide as 67 nm confirms high promise of using Yb:YAP crystal for lasers working in wide spectral range.
Measurement Stand, Method and Results of Composite Electrotechnical Pressboard-Mineral Oil Electrical Measurements
Authors: Rogalski P.
Published: September 2020

The paper presents a measuring stand designed and built for testing direct and alternating current properties of power transformers basic insulation component i.e. electrotechnical pressboard impregnated with transformer oil. Measurements of direct and alternating current parameters are performed using the frequency domain spectroscopy and polarization depolarization current methods.

The measuring station includes a specially developed climatic chamber which is characterized by high accuracy of temperature stabilization and maintenance during several dozen hours of measurements. The uncertainty of temperature maintaining during several dozen hours of measurements does not exceed ± 0.01 °C. The computer software developed to control the station allows for remote measurements, changes in supply voltage and temperature settings and acquisition of the obtained results. A new type of measuring capacitor was developed and manufactured, the structure of which significantly reduces the chance of samples contamination during measurements. By increasing the accuracy of temperature stabilization during measurements, the resolution of measurement temperatures was increased, at which it is possible to perform measurements with the frequency domain spectroscopy and polarization depolarization current methods. This allowed to reduce the step of measurement temperature change and thus to increase the accuracy of determining the activation energy of the measured parameters.

The article also contains basic information on the analysis of the direct and alternating current electrical parameters of the composite electrotechnical pressboard-mineral oil-water nanoparticles. The results of several direct and alternating current parameters measurements of a transformer oil impregnated pressboard sample with a moisture content of (5.2 ± 0.1) % by weight obtained by the use of a measuring stand are presented as examples.
Canine colostrum exosomes: Characterization and influence on the canine mesenchymal stem cell secretory profile and fibroblast anti-oxidative capacity.
Authors: Villatoro Antonio J , Martín-Astorga María del Carmen , Alcoholado Cristina , Becerra José
Published: September 2020

Background :
Canine colostrum milk (CCM) is a specific secretion of the mammary gland that is fundamental for the survival of the newborn. CCM has many described components (immunoglobulins, proteins or fat), but its small vesicles, named exosomes, are largely unknown.

Results :
A characterization of CCM exosomes was performed. Exosomes were abundant in CCM and appeared with the characteristic cup-shaped morphology and well-defined round vesicles. The size distribution of exosomes was between 37 and 140 nm, and western blot analysis showed positive expression of specific exosomal markers. Proteomic analysis revealed a total of 826 proteins in exosome cargo. We also found that exosomes modified the proliferation and secretory profiles in canine mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (cBM-MSCs) and adipose tissue (cAd-MSCs). Additionally, CCM exosomes demonstrated a potent antioxidant effect on canine fibroblasts in culture.

Conclusions :
Our findings highlight, for the first time, the abundant presence of exosomes in CCM and their ability to interact with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The addition of exosomes to two types of MSCs in culture resulted in specific secretory profiles with functions related to angiogenesis, migration and chemotaxis of immune cells. In particular, the cAd-MSCs secretory profile showed higher potential in adipose tissue development and neurogenesis, while cBM-MSC production was associated with immunity, cell mobilization and haematopoiesis. Finally, exosomes also presented antioxidant capacity on fibroblasts against reactive oxygen species activity within the cell, demonstrating their fundamental role in the development and maturation of dogs in the early stages of their life.
Detection of gray matter microstructural changes in Alzheimer’s disease continuum using fiber orientation
Authors: Lee Peter , Kim Hang-Rai , Jeong Yong , Initiative Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging
Published: September 2020

Background This study aimed to investigate feasible gray matter microstructural biomarkers with high sensitivity for early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) detection. We propose a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measure, “radiality”, as an early AD biomarker. It is the dot product of the normal vector of the cortical surface and primary diffusion direction, which reflects the fiber orientation within the cortical column. Methods We analyzed neuroimages from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database, including images from 78 cognitively normal (CN), 50 early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI), 34 late mild cognitive impairment (LMCI), and 39 AD patients. We then evaluated the cortical thickness (CTh), mean diffusivity (MD), which are conventional AD magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers, and the amount of accumulated amyloid and tau using positron emission tomography (PET). Radiality was projected on the gray matter surface to compare and validate the changes with different stages alongside other neuroimage biomarkers.Results The results revealed decreased radiality primarily in the entorhinal, insula, frontal, and temporal cortex with further progression of disease. In particular, radiality could delineate the difference between the CN and EMCI groups, while the other biomarkers could not. We examined the relationship between radiality and other biomarkers to validate its pathological evidence in AD. Overall, radiality showed a high association with conventional biomarkers. Additional ROI analysis revealed the dynamics of AD-related changes as stages onward.Conclusion Radiality in cortical gray matter showed AD-specific changes and relevance with other conventional AD biomarkers with high sensitivity. Moreover, radiality could identify the group differences seen in EMCI, representative of changes in early AD, which supports its superiority in early diagnosis compared to that possible with conventional biomarkers. We provide evidence of structural changes with cognitive impairment and suggest radiality as a sensitive biomarker for identifying early AD.
Magnaporthe oryzae Systemic Defense Trigger 1 (MoSDT1)-Mediated Metabolites Regulate Defense Response in Rice
Authors: Duan Guihua , Li Chunqin , Liu Yanfang , Ma Xiaoqing , Luo Qiong , Yang Jing
Published: September 2020

Background: Some of the pathogenic effector proteins play an active role in stimulating the plant defense system to strengthen plant resistance. Results: In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS) was implemented to identify altered metabolites in transgenic rice containing over-expressed M. oryzae Systemic Defense Trigger 1 (MoSDT1) that was infected at three-time points. The characterized dominating metabolites were organic acids and their derivatives, organic oxygen compounds, lipids, and lipid-like molecules. Among the identified metabolites, shikimate, galactinol, trehalose, D-mannose, linolenic acid, dopamine, tyramine, and L-glutamine are precursors for the synthesis of many secondary defense metabolites Carbohydrate, as well as amino acid metabolic, pathways were revealed to be involved in plant defense responses and resistance strengthening. Conclusion: The increasing salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) content enhanced interactions between JA synthesis/signaling gene, SA synthesis/receptor gene, raffinose/fructose/sucrose synthase gene, and cell wall-related genes all contribute to defense response in rice. The symptoms of rice after M. oryzae infection were significantly alleviated when treated with six identified metabolites, i.e., galactol, tyramine, L-glutamine, L-tryptophan, α-terpinene, and dopamine for 72 h exogenously. Therefore, these metabolites could be utilized as an optimal metabolic marker for M. oryzae defense.
Precarious working conditions and psychosocial work stress act as a risk factor for symptoms of postpartum depression during maternity leave: results from a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Karl Marlene , Schaber Ronja , Kress Victoria , Kopp Marie , Martini Julia , Weidner Kerstin , Garthus-Niegel Susan
Published: September 2020

Background: The majority of Western women work during their reproductive years, but past research has often neglected the influence of work-related factors on postpartum mental health. Especially postpartum depression (PPD) is an enormous psychological burden for mothers. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prospective impact of precarious working conditions and psychosocial work stress during pregnancy (such as work-privacy conflict and effort-reward imbalance at the job) on symptoms of maternal PPD.Methods: In the prospective-longitudinal cohort study DREAM (DResdner Studie zu Elternschaft, Arbeit und Mentaler Gesundheit), N = 587 employed women were questioned about their work during pregnancy and their mental health 8 weeks after delivery.Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that work-privacy conflict, low reward at work, and precarious working conditions significantly predicted symptoms of PPD, even when controlling for lifetime depression, anxiety, education, parity, and age.Conclusion: Our results indicate that psychosocial work stress and precarious working conditions have important implications for maternal peripartum mental health. They might act as prospective risk factors for PPD during the period of maternal leave. Hence, future research should focus on preventative measures targeting work life.
Proteotranscriptomics assisted gene annotation and spatial proteomics of Bombyx mori BmN4 cell line
Authors: Levin Michal , Scheibe Marion , Butter Falk
Published: September 2020

Background The process of identifying all coding regions in a genome is crucial for any study at the level of molecular biology, ranging from single-gene cloning to genome-wide measurements using RNA-seq or mass spectrometry. While satisfactory annotation has been made feasible for well-studied model organisms through great efforts of big consortia, for most systems this kind of data is either absent or not adequately precise. Results Combining in-depth transcriptome sequencing and high resolution mass spectrometry, we here use proteotranscriptomics to improve gene annotation of protein-coding genes in the Bombyx mori cell line BmN4 which is an increasingly used tool for the analysis of piRNA biogenesis and function. Using this approach we provide the exact coding sequence and evidence for more than 6,200 genes on the protein level. Furthermore using spatial proteomics, we establish the subcellular localization of thousands of these proteins. We show that our approach outperforms current Bombyx mori annotation attempts in terms of accuracy and coverage. Conclusions We show that proteotranscriptomics is an efficient, cost-effective and accurate approach to improve previous annotations or generate new gene models. As this technique is based on de-novo transcriptome assembly, it provides the possibility to study any species also in the absence of genome sequence information for which proteogenomics would be impossible.
Relationship between formulaic breast volume and risk of breast cancer based on linear measurement
Authors: Li Xiaoxia , Zhou Chunlan , Wu Yanni , Chen Xiaohong
Published: September 2020

Background: Whether breast volume is a risk factor for breast cancer is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether a significant association between breast volume and risk of breast cancer, based on linear measurements, was present by applying propensity score matching (PSM).Methods: The study was designed as a hospital-based case-control study. Between March 2018 and May 2019, 208 cases and 340 controls were retrospectively reviewed. Information on menarche, smoking, feeding mode, oral contraceptives, reproductive history and family history was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Breast volume was calculated using a formula based on linear measurements of breast parameters. Cox regression and PSM were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer using risk factors adjusted for potential confounders.Results: There was a significant difference in breast volume between the two groups before propensity score matching(P = 0.014) . Binary logistic regression showed that the risk of breast cancer was slightly higher in the case group with larger breast volumes than in the control group（P = 0.009, OR = 1.002， 95%CI：1.000~1.003). However, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups using an independent sample Mann-Whitney U test (P = 0.438) or conditional logistic regression (P = 0.446).Conclusions: After PSM for potential confounding factors, there is no significant difference in breast volume estimated by BREAST-V formula between the case group and the control group. The risk of breast cancer may not be related to breast volume in Chinese women.
Association between social trust and the risk of cardiovascular disease in Korean elderly adults: a nationwide retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hwang Seo Eun , Choi Seulggie , Kim Kyuwoong , Oh Juhwan , Lee Jong-Koo , Park Sang Min
Published: September 2020

Background: Although social capital has been shown to be one of the important social determinants of health, the association between social trust and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not clear yet. We aimed to investigate the association of social trust with CVD risk using a large Korean population based data.Methods: The study data was derived from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Community-level social trust was determined from the Korean Community Health Survey. The study population consisted of 2,156,829 participants. According to social trust index measured in the area of residence during 2011, participants were followed-up from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD risk according to quintiles of social trust.Results: Compared to participants with the lowest quintile of social trust, those within the highest quintile had lower risk for CVD (aHR 0.91, 95% CI=0.89 to 0.93), CHD (aHR 0.92, 95% CI=0.89 to 0.95), and stroke (aHR 0.90, 95% CI=0.87 to 0.93). The risk-reducing association of high social trust on CVD risk was preserved after additional adjustments for lifestyle behaviors including smoking, alcohol intake, and physical activity.Conclusion: Higher social trust was associated with reduced risk of CVD even after considering lifestyle behaviors. Social trust in a community level is an important determinant of CVD and enhancing social trust may lead to reduced risk of CVD.
Women's empowerment for abortion and family planning decision making among marginalized women in Nepal: a mixed method study
Authors: KC Heera , Shrestha Mangala , Pokharel Nirmala , Niraula Surya Raj , Pyakurel Prajjwal , Parajuli Surya Bahadur
Published: September 2020

Background: Women’s empowerment is multidimensional. Women’s education, employment, income, reproductive healthcare decision making, household level decision making and social status are vital for women’s empowerment. Nepal is committed to achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality, which directly affects the reproductive health issues. This can be achieved by addressing the issues of the poor and marginalized communities. In this context, we aimed to find the association of women’s empowerment with abortion and family planning decision making among marginalized women in Nepal. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at selected municipalities of Morang district of Nepal from February 2017 to March 2018. A mixed method approach was used, where 316 married marginalized women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and 15 key informant interviews from representative healthcare providers and local leaders were taken. From key informants, data were analysed using the thematic framework method. Findings obtained from two separate analyses were drawn together and meta inferences were made. Results: Women’s empowerment was above average, at 50.6%. Current use of modern contraceptives were more among below average empowerment groups (p 0.041, OR 0.593 C.I. 0.36-0.98). We could not find any statistically significant differences among levels of women’s empowerment, including those women with abortion knowledge (p 0.549); family planning knowledge (p 0.495) and women’s decision for future use of modern contraceptives (p 0.977). Most key informants reported that unsafe abortion was practiced. Conclusions: Women’s empowerment has no direct role for family planning and abortion decision making at marginalized communities of Morang district of Nepal. However, different governmental and non-governmental organizations influence woman for seeking health care services and family planning in rural communities of Nepal irrespective of empowerment status.
Sleep Characteristics and Problems of 2-year-olds with Williams Syndrome: Relations with Language and Behavior
Authors: de Magalhães Caroline Greiner , O'Brien Louise M. , Mervis Carolyn B.
Published: September 2020

Background: Sleep problems have been shown to have a negative impact on language development and behavior for both typically developing children and children with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders. The relation of sleep characteristics and problems to language and behavior for children with Williams syndrome (WS) is unclear. The goal of this study was to address these relations for 2-year-olds with WS. Associations of nonverbal reasoning ability, nighttime sleep duration, and excessive daytime sleepiness with language ability and behavior problems were considered. Method: Ninety-six 2-year-olds with genetically confirmed classic-length WS deletions participated. Parents completed the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, which includes a Sleep Related Breathing Disorder (SRBD) scale with a subscale measuring excessive daytime sleepiness, to assess sleep characteristics and problems. Parents also completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Sentences to assess behavior problems and expressive vocabulary, respectively. Children completed the Mullen Scales of Early Learning to measure nonverbal reasoning and language abilities. Results: Parents indicated that children slept an average of 10.36 hours per night (SD = 1.09, range: 7.3–13.3), not differing significantly from the mean reported by Bell and Zimmerman (2010) for typically developing toddlers (p = .787). Sixteen percent of participants screened positive for SRBD and 30% for excessive daytime sleepiness. Children who screened positive for SRBD had significantly more behavior problems on all CBCL scales than children who screened negative. Children with excessive daytime sleepiness had significantly more attention/hyperactivity, stress, and externalizing problems than those who did not have daytime sleepiness. Individual differences in parent-reported nighttime sleep duration and directly measured nonverbal reasoning abilities accounted for unique variance in expressive language, receptive language, and internalizing problems. Individual differences in parent-reported daytime sleepiness accounted for unique variance in externalizing problems.Conclusions: The relations of nighttime sleep duration, positive screens for SRBD, and excessive daytime sleepiness to language and behavior in toddlers with WS parallel prior findings for typically developing toddlers. These results highlight the importance of screening young children with WS for sleep problems. Studies investigating the efficacy of behavioral strategies for improving sleep in children with WS are warranted.
Left Atrial Strain and Diastolic Function Abnormalities in Obese and Type 2 Diabetic Adolescents and Young Adults.
Authors: Steele Jeremy Mark , Urbina Elaine M , Mazur Wojciech M , Khoury Philip R , Nagueh Sherif F , Tretter Justin T , Alsaied Tarek
Published: September 2020

Background: Adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) related to obesity are at increased risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Whether left ventricular (LV) diastolic function abnormalities related to obesity and T2DM start in adolescence and early adulthood is unknown. We non-invasively evaluated the differences seen in LV diastolic and left atrial (LA) function in adolescents and young adults with obesity and T2DM. Methods: We analyzed echocardiographic measures of LV diastolic function in patients with structurally normal hearts which were divided into 3 groups (normal weight, obese, and T2DM). Spectral and tissue Doppler and 2-D speckle tracking measurements of diastolic function were obtained. Logistic regression was performed to compare the prevalence of abnormalities in diastolic function based on the worst 25th percentile for each measure to determine the prevalence of diastolic and LA function abnormalities in obese and T2DM patients. Results: 331 teenagers and young adults (median age 22.1 years) were analyzed (101 normal weight, 114 obese, 116 T2DM). Obese and T2DM group had lower E/A and higher E/e’. Obese and T2DM patients had significantly lower atrial reservoir, conduit, and booster strain and worse reservoir and conduit strain rate compared to normal patients (p<0.001 for all measures). All patients had normal LA volumes. On multivariable analysis, conduit strain and reservoir and conduit strain rate were independently associated with having below the 25th percentile e’. Conduit strain rate was independently associated with having below the 25th percentile for mitral E/A ratio on multivariable analysis.Conclusions: Abnormal indices of LV diastolic function are detected in adolescents and young adults with obesity and T2DM. LA function and strain analysis were able to detect evidence of decreased reservoir, conduit, and booster strain in these patients although LA volume was normal. The use of LA function strain may increase our ability to detect early diastolic function abnormalities in this population.
NF-κB and pSTAT3 synergistically drive G6PD overexpression and facilitate sensitivity to G6PD inhibition in ccRCC
Authors: Zhang Qiao , Yang Zhe , Ni Yueli , Bai Honggang , Han Qiaoqiao , Yi Zihan , Yi Xiaojia , AGBANA Yannick Luther , Kuang Yingmin , Zhu Yuechun
Published: September 2020

Background: Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) serves key roles in cancer cell metabolic reprogramming, and has been reported to be involved in certain carcinogenesis. Previous results from our laboratory demonstrated that overexpressed G6PD was a potential prognostic biomarker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common subtype of kidney cancer. G6PD could stimulate ccRCC growth and invasion through facilitating reactive oxygen species (ROS)-phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) activation and ROS-MAPK-MMP2 axis pathway, respectively. However, the reasons for ectopic G6PD overexpression and the proliferation repressive effect of G6PD inhibition in ccRCC are still unclear. Methods: The impact of ROS accumulation on NF-κB signaling pathway and G6PD expression was determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot in ccRCC cells following treatment with ROS stimulator or scavenger. The regulatory function of NF-κB signaling pathway in G6PD transcription was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, luciferase and ChIP assay in ccRCC cells following treatment with NF-κB signaling activator/inhibitor or lentivirus infection. ChIP and Co-IP assay was performed to demonstrate protein-DNA and protein-protein interaction of NF-κB and pSTAT3, respectively. MTS assay, human tissue detection and xenograft model were conducted to characterize the association between NF-κB, pSTAT3, G6PD expression level and proliferation functions. Results: ROS-stimulated NF-κB and pSTAT3 signaling over-activation could activate each other, and exhibit cross-talks in G6PD aberrant transcriptional regulation. The underlying mechanism was that NF-κB signaling pathway facilitated G6PD transcription via direct DNA–protein interaction with p65 instead of p50. p65 and pSTAT3 formed a p65/pSTAT3 complex, occupied the pSTAT3-binding site on G6PD promoter, and contributed to ccRCC proliferation following facilitated G6PD overexpression. G6PD, pSTAT3, and p65 were highly expressed and positively correlated with each other in ccRCC tissues, confirming that NF-κB and pSTAT3 synergistically promote G6PD overexpression. Moreover, G6PD inhibitor exhibited tumor-suppressor activities in ccRCC and attenuated the growth of ccRCC cells both in vitro and in vivo . Conclusion: ROS-stimulated aberrations of NF-κB and pSTAT3 signaling pathway synergistically drive G6PD transcription through forming a p65/pSTAT3 complex. Moreover, G6PD activity inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy for ccRCC treatment.
Increased MLKL mRNA level in the PBMCs is correlated with autoantibody production, renal involvement and SLE disease activity
Authors: Zhang Mingjiao , Jie Hongyu , Wu Yong , Han Xinai , Li Xing , He Yi , Shi Xingliang , Luo Yuwei , Sun Ying , Yang Jinlong , Yang Jing , Quan Shulv , Lao Xiaobin , Tan Liping , Sun Erwei
Published: September 2020

Background: Necroptosis is a form of regulated necrosis that is involved in various autoimmune diseases. Mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL) has been identified as a key executor of necroptosis, however, the significance of MLKL in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to determine the mRNA level of MLKL in PBMCs and examine its relationship with clinical features and serological parameters in SLE. Methods: Real-time transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR) was used to determine expression of MLKL mRNA in PBMCs from 59 patients with SLE, 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls(HC). Spearman's correlation test was performed to assess the correlation of MLKL mRNA with clinical variables. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was created to evaluate the diagnostic value. Results: Our results showed MLKL mRNA in PBMCs was upregulated in SLE patients compared to that in RA and HC individuals. SLE patients positive for anti-nuclear antibodies had significantly higher MLKL mRNA than antibody-negative patients. In SLE patients, MLKL mRNA was found to be upregulated in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) as compared with patients without LN, and also higher in active patients than in stable patients. MLKL mRNA level was significantly and positively correlated with c-reaction protein (CRP) (r=0.3577, p=0.0237), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r=0.4091, p=0.0043), serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration (r=0.3546, p=0.0289) and the numbers of positive antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) (r=0.3945, p=0.0432). ROC analysis showed that MLKL mRNA in PBMCs had an area under the curve of 0.9277 (95% CI 0.8779 - 0.9775, p<0.001) to discriminate SLE from controls.Conclusions: These results suggest that increased MLKL mRNA level in the PBMCs of SLE patients is correlated with renal involvement and disease activity, identifying a subgroup of patients with SLE or LN who may benefit from early diagnosis and therapies targeting MLKL.
Rhythms and prognosis of patients with cardiac arrest, emphasis on pseudo-pulseless electrical activity: another reason to use ultrasound in emergency rooms in Colombia
Authors: Devia German Alberto , Navarrete Norberto , Ortiz Zaira Melina Rojas
Published: September 2020

Background: The cardiac arrest is still an emergency with a bad prognosis. The growing adoption of bedside ultrasound allowed to classify PEA in two groups: the true PEA and the pseudo-PEA. pPEA is used to describe a patient who has a supposed PEA in the absence of pulse, with evidence of some cardiac activity on the bedside ultrasound. Objective: This work aims to assess the bedside ultrasound use as a predictor for ROSC and survival at discharge in cardiac arrest patients, and compare the pseudo-pulseless electrical activity to other cardiac arrest rhythms, including shockable rhythms. Materials and Methods: This is an observational, historic cohort study carried out in the emergency room of the University Hospital Mayor, Méderi. Data were collected from all the adult patients treated for cardiac arrest from June 2018 to 2019. An ultrasound was performed to every cardiac arrest patient. Results: Of a total of 108 patients the median of the age was 71 years, 65.8% were male subjects, the most frequent cause for cardiac arrest was the cardiogenic shock(32.4%). ROSC was observed in 41 cases(37.9%) and survival at discharge was 18 cases(16.7%). VF/VT and pPEA were the two rhythms that showed the highest ROSC and survival at discharge. For the pPEA group, we were able to conclude that the cardiac activity type is related to ROSC. Conclusion: There is a significant difference for ROSC and survival at discharge prognosis among the cardiac arrest rhythms, with better outcomes for VF/VT and pPEA. Among patients with PEA, a routine ultrasound assessment is recommended. The type of cardiac activity recorded during the ultrasound of the cardiac arrest patient might be related to the ROSC and survival at discharge prognosis.
Lung ultrasound score assessing the pulmonary edema in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome received continuous hemofiltration therapy: A prospective observational study
Authors: Wang Fei , Wang Chunxia , Shi Jingyi , Shan Yijun , Miao Huijie , Sun Ting , Zhou Yiping , Zhang Yucai
Published: September 2020

Background: Lung ultrasound score is a potential method for determining pulmonary edema in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has become the preferred modality to manage fluid overload during ARDS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of lung ultrasound (LUS) score on assessing the effects of CRRT on pulmonary edema and pulmonary function in pediatric ARDS. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 70 children with moderate to severe ARDS in a tertiary university pediatric intensive care unit from January 2016 to December 2018. 37 patients received CRRT (CRRT group) and 33 patients treated by conventional therapy (Non-CRRT group). LUS score was measured within 2 hours identified ARDS as the value of 1st，and the following three days as the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. We used Spearman correlation analysis to develop the relationship between LUS score and PaO2/FiO2, dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), PaCO2, oxygen index (OI), as well as between the change in daily fluid balance volume and the change in LUS score during CRRT.Results: The 1st lung ultrasound score in CRRT group were significantly higher than Non-CRRT group (P < 0.001), but the lung ultrasound score decreased gradually following CRRT (P < 0.001). LUS score was significantly correlated with PaO2/FiO2 (1st: r =-0.800, 2nd: r =-0.807, 3rd: r =-0.703, 4th: r =-0.584), Cdyn (1st: r =-0.757, 2nd: r =-0.906, 3rd: r =-0.885, 4th: r =-0.834), and OI (1st: r =0.678, 2nd: r =0.689, 3rd: r =0.486, 4th: r =0.324) based on 1st to 4th values (all P<0.05). LUS score decreased from 22 (18 - 25) to 15 (13 - 18) and PaO2/FiO2 promoted from 106.00 (96.00 - 121.50) mmHg to 160.00 (142.50 - 173.00) mmHg after CRRT for four days (both P < 0.001).Conclusions: LUS score is significantly correlated with lung function parameters in pediatric ARDS. The improvement of pulmonary edema in patient with ARDS received CRRT can be assessed by the LUS score.
Polymorphisms in the airway epithelium related genes CDHR3 and EMSY are associated with asthma susceptibility
Authors: Zhang Miao-miao , Chen Guo , Wang Yu , Wu Shou quan , Sandford Andrew J , He Jian-Qing
Published: September 2020

Background As a main line of defense of the respiratory tract, the airway epithelium plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. CDHR3 and EMSY were reported to be expressed in the human airway epithelium. Although previous genome-wide association studies found that the two genes were associated with asthma susceptibility, similar observations have not been made in the Chinese Han population. Methods A total of 300 asthma patients and 418 healthy controls unrelated Chinese Han individuals were enrolled. Tag-single nucleotide polymorphisms (Tag-SNPs) were genotyped and the associations between SNPs and asthma risk were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. Results After adjusting for confounding factors, the A allele of rs3847076 in CDHR3 was associated with increased susceptibility to asthma (OR = 1.407, 95% CI: 1.030-1.923). For the EMSY gene, the T alleles of both rs2508746 and rs12278256 were related with decreased susceptibility to asthma (additive model: OR = 0.718, 95% CI: 0.536-0.961; OR = 0.558, 95% CI: 0.332-0.937, respectively). In addition, the GG genotype of rs1892953 showed an association with increased asthma risk under the recessive model (OR = 1.667, 95% CI: 1.104-2.518) and the GATCTGAGT haplotype in EMSY was associated with reduced asthma risk (P = 0.037). Conclusions This study identified novel associations of rs3847076 in CDHR3, as well as rs1892953, rs2508746 and rs12278256 in EMSY with adult asthma susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. Our observations suggest that CDHR3 and EMSY may play important roles in the pathogenesis of asthma in Chinese individuals. Further study with larger sample size is needed.
Network Pharmacology study of Curcuma longa L.: Potential Target Proteins and their Functional Enrichment Analysis. 
Authors: KUMARI SANGEETA , Subramanya Hosahalli S.
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveThis study’s primary goal is unraveling the mechanism of action of bioactives of Curcuma longa L. at the molecular level using protein-protein interaction network.ResultsWe used target proteins to create protein-protein interaction network (PPIN) and identified significant node and edge attributes of PPIN. We identified the cluster of proteins in the PPIN, which were used to identify enriched pathways. We identified closeness centrality and jaccard score as most important node and edge attribute of the PPIN respectively. The enriched pathways of various clusters were overlapped suggesting synergistic mechanism of action. The three pathways found to be common among three clusters were Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor pathway, Endothelin signaling pathway, and Inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signaling pathway.
High Smad7 in the early post-operative recurrence of Crohn’s disease
Authors: Zorzi Francesca , Calabrese Emma , Fusco Davide Di , De Cristofaro Elena , Biancone Livia , Casella Sara , Palmieri Giampiero , Monteleone Giovanni
Published: September 2020

Background: In Crohn’s disease (CD), one of the major inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in human beings, there is over-expression of Smad7, an intracellular inhibitor of the suppressive cytokine TGF-β1. The aim of this study was to assess whether Smad7 over-expression occurs in the early and/or late phases of CD. Methods: Mucosal samples were taken from the neo-terminal ileum of CD patients undergoing ileocolonic resection, with or without (early CD) post-operative endoscopic recurrence, and terminal ileum of CD patients with long-standing disease undergoing intestinal resection (late CD). Smad7 was examined by immunohistochemistry and cytokine expression was analysed by flow-cytometry. Results: Before the appearance of endoscopic lesions, the mucosa of the neo-terminal ileum contained high number of Smad7-expressing cells in both the epithelial and lamina propria compartments. Transition from this stage to endoscopic recurrence was marked by persistence of high number of Smad7-positive cells, which reduced significantly in the late stages of the disease, where Smad7 expression remained, however, greater than that seen in normal controls. In samples with early lesions, Smad7 expression positively correlated with the number of interferon-g-secreting cells. Conclusions: Smad7 induction is an early event in the inflammatory sequence occurring in CD, thus suggesting that knockdown of Smad7 can help prevent post-operative recurrence.