bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of lncRNA–mRNA Regulatory Network Associated With Isolated Systolic Hypertension and Atherosclerotic Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Yang jie , Tao Yan-Nan , Hu Fang-Xiao , Chen Yong-Zhi , Yang Xue-Song , Zhuang Xin , Cui Ming-Ling , Li Guan-lan , Li Chao , Yang Chuan-Hua , Jiang Yue-hua
Published: April 2021

Background: Increasing evidences uncover that lncRNAs play an important role in Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). However, a systematic lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network is still absent in isolated systolic hypertension and atherosclerotic cerebral infarction patients (ISH & ACI).Aim:This research aims to establish a lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network in patients with ISH & ACI, to probe into the potential functions of lncRNA in those patients.Design and Setting:Expression profiles of lncRNA and mRNAs are collected and compared respectively from 8 patients with ISH and 8 patients with ISH & ACI by RNA-seq data.Methods: Differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were screened out via high-throughput sequencing in the plasma of ISH/ACI patients and control ISH patients. Then, a lncRNA-mRNA interaction network was built using the Pearson correlation coefficient by Cytoscape software. The expression levels of the hub genes and lncRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR in another 10 ISH/ACI patients and 10 control patients. Results: 2768 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 747 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified. 2 hub genes (CD226 and PARVB) and 11 lncRNAs were identified in the lncRNA-mRNA interaction network. qRT-PCR and cell assay results verified that lncRNAs ENST00000590604 and CD226 are highly expressed in patients of ISH & ACI. CD226 was associated with vascular endothelial cells growth and stability through platelet activation and focal adhesion pathway.Conclusion: We established a novel mRNA-lncRNA interaction network. lncRNAs ENST00000590604 and CD226 might be the potential biomarkers of ISH & ACI.
Up-regulation thioredoxin contributes to inhibite diabetic hearing impairment
Authors: Ren Xiang , Lv Jinjuan , Fu Yuzhen , Zhang Na , Zhang Chenghong , Dong Zhenghao , Chudhary Maryam , Zhong Shiwen , Kong Li , Kong Hui
Published: April 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. An association between DM and hearing impairment has been widely discussed. It’s essential to find effective prevetion or diagnosis of diabetic hearing loss. Thioredoxin (Trx) is a small molecule protein (12kDa) and plays biological functions such as anti-apoptotic, transcriptional regulation. In this study, our aim is to clarify the protective effect of Trx on diabetic hearing loss to find the early potential therapeutic target of diabetic hearing impairment in clinic in the future. Trx transgenic(Tg) mice was used to induce diabetic model by intraperitoneal injected Streptozotocin (STZ) and with/without SF or PX12 treatment. Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH) Staining was used to evaluate the loss of hair cells. The relative expression of related proteins and genes was detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR. In diabetic mice, the outer hair cells were lost significantly. However, the loss of hair cells was delayed over-expression Trx. Moreover, the expression of PGC-1α, bcl-2 and LC3 was increased in Tg(+)-DM mice compared with Tg(-)-DM mice. The expression of ASK1, Txnip, GRP78, CHOP and p62 was decreased in Tg(+)-DM mice compared with Tg(-)-DM mice. Taken together, up-regulation Trx can protect cochlear hair cell from damage in diabetes. The underlying mechanism may be related to regulate ER stress through ASK1 and mitochondria pathway or autophagy via Txnip.
Repeatability and Comparability of the Galilei-G4 and Cassini in Measuring Corneal Power and Astigmatism in Normal and Post-Refractive Surgery Eyes
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed , Khan Mahmood , Kanakamedala Amritha , Gupta Isha , Wang Li , Koch Douglas , Al-Mohtaseb Zaina
Published: April 2021

PURPOSE
To assess the repeatability and comparability of the Galilei G4 versus the Cassini topographer in post-refractive eyes and in normal eyes, including older patients representative of an initial cataract evaluation.
METHODS
Simulated keratometric (simK), total corneal and posterior corneal power and astigmatism were evaluated in both post-refractive and normal eyes. Repeatability was measured by calculating within-subject standard deviation (Sw), coefficient of variation (CoV), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Vector analyses and Bland-Altman plots were employed to assess agreement between devices.
RESULTS
We studied 32 subjects with a history of refractive surgery and 32 subjects without a history of refractive surgery undergoing cataract surgery. The mean age was 55 ± 18.5 years and the age range was 21.5 to 91.5 years. In non-refractive and post-refractive eyes, the ICC was > 0.9 (P < .001) for all corneal powers and for simK and total corneal astigmatism for both analyzers. The ICC for posterior corneal astigmatism magnitude using the Galilei was 0.62 and 0.67 and for the Cassini 0.55 and 0.38 in normal and post-refractive eyes, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In both post-refractive and normal eyes, the Galilei G4 and Cassini analyzers have high repeatability in simK, total, and posterior corneal power and low repeatability for posterior corneal astigmatism.
Role of Thrombospondin-1 in Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Injury
Authors: XIE YUN , ZHANG JIAXIANG , JIN WEI , TIAN RUI , Wang Ruilan
Published: April 2021

Objective: Sepsis often causes myocardial injury with a high mortality. We wanted to investigate the effects of thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) expression on myocardial cell injury, oxidative stress and apoptosis in sepsis.Methods: The expression of THBS1 mRNA in LPS-induced mouse primary cardiomyocytes was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. We constructed a eukaryotic siRNA expression vector and used liposome transfection to knockdown THBS1 mRNA expression in myocardial cells. We detected the THBS1 mRNA expression level using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Four groups were used: control, LPS, THBS1 siRNA, and LPS + THBS1 siRNA. ELISA was used to detect cTnI, proBNP, ROS, caspase3 and other indicators of cell damage. At the same time, sepsis mouse models were prepared for H&E, TUNEL and caspase-3 staining to evaluate myocardial cell injury and apoptosis. Clinical samples were collected to analyze the serum THBS1 level and correlate it with the prognosis of patients with myocardial injury of sepsis.Results: The expression level of THBS1 mRNA in myocardial cells induced by LPS was increased, and the serum THBS1 level in patients with myocardial injury in sepsis was also significantly increased. In the THBS1 siRNA group with myocardial injury, the levels of cTnI and proBNP were significantly decreased, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased, ROS were significantly decreased, and caspase3 was significantly decreased, and myocardial cell apoptosis was also reduced in the sepsis mouse model. Conclusion: THBS1 is closely related to the biological behavior of myocardial cells and may be a therapeutic target for myocardial injury in sepsis.
A Novel Ceruloplasmin Mutation Identified in a Chinese Patient and Clinical Spectrum of Aceruloplasminemia Patients
Authors: Xu Wan-Qing , Ni Wang , Wang Rou-Min , Dong Yi , Wu Zhi-ying
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose: Aceruloplasminemia (ACP) is a rare disorder of iron overload resulting from ceruloplasmin (CP) variants. Because of its rarity and heterogeneity, the diagnosis of ACP is often missed or misdiagnosed. Here, we aim to present a clinical spectrum of ACP and raise more attention to the early diagnosis. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in a Chinese female patient suspected with ACP and her clinical data were collected in detail. The PubMed databases was searched for published ACP patients within the last decade, and we present a systematic review of their clinical features with data extracted from these researches. Results: A novel pathogenic variant (c.2689delC) and a known pathogenic variant (c.606dupA) within ceruloplasmin gene were identified in our patient and confirmed the diagnosis of ACP. Then we reviewed 50 ACP patients including the case we reported here. A possible timeline of symptoms was discovered, anemia appears first (29.7 years old on average), followed by diabetes (37.3 years old) and finally neurological symptoms (52.2 years old). The delay in diagnosis was significantly shortened in patients without neurological symptoms. Biochemical triad including anemia, low to undetectable serum ceruloplasmin, low serum iron and/or hyperferritinemia, showed better sensitivity in diagnosis than clinical triad including diabetes, neurological symptoms and retinal degeneration. Conclusions: Due to the variable symptom spectrum, patients with ACP often visit different departments, which can lead to misdiagnosis. Clinical attention needs to be paid to symptoms and tests that have a warning effect. Prompt diagnosis in the early stage of the disease can be beneficial.
Effectiveness Comparisons of Drug Therapies for Postoperative Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients: Network Meta‑analysis and systematic review
Authors: Yu Wanli , Huang Yizhou , Zhang Xiaolin , Luo Huirong , Chen Weifu , Jiang Yongxiang , Cheng Yuan
Published: April 2021

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of various drug interventions in improving the clinical outcome of postoperative patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and assist in determining the drugs of definite curative effect in improving clinical prognosis.Methods: Eligible Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were searched in databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (inception to Sep 2020). Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score, Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) score or modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was used as the main outcome measurements to evaluate the efficacy of various drugs in improving the clinical outcomes of postoperative patients with aSAH. The network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted based on a random-effects model, dichotomous variables were determined by using odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), and a surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was generated to estimate the ranking probability of comparative effectiveness among different drug therapies.Results: From the 493 of initial citation screening, forty-four RCTs (n=10626 participants) were eventually included in our analysis. Our NMA results showed that cilostazol (OR=3.35,95%CI=1.50,7.51) was the best intervention to improve the clinical outcome of patients (SUCRA=87.29%, 95%CrI 0.07-0.46). Compared with the placebo group, only two drug interventions [nimodipine (OR=1.61, 95%CI 1.01,2.57) and cilostazol (OR=3.35, 95%CI 1.50, 7.51)] achieved significant statistical significance in improving the clinical outcome of patients. Conclusions: Both nimodipine and cilostazol have exact curative effect to improve the outcome of postoperative patients with aSAH, and cilostazol may be the best drug to improve the outcome of patients after aSAH operation. Our study provides implications for future studies that, the combination of two or more drugs with relative safety and potential benefits (e.g., nimodipine and cilostazol) may improve the clinical outcome of patients more effectively.
Behavioural responses to Covid-19 health certification: A rapid review
Authors: Drury John , Mao Guanlan , John Ann , Kamal Atiya , Rubin G James , Stott Clifford , Vandrevala Tushna , Marteau Theresa M
Published: April 2021

Background Covid-status certification – certificates for those who test negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, test positive for antibodies, or who have been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 – has been proposed to enable safer access to a range of activities. Realising these benefits will depend in part upon the behavioural and social impacts of certification. The aim of this rapid review was to describe public attitudes towards certification, and its possible impact on uptake of testing and vaccination, protective behaviours, and crime.Method A search was undertaken in peer-reviewed databases, pre-print databases, and the grey literature, from 2000 to December 2020. Studies were included if they measured attitudes towards or behavioural consequences of health certificates based on one of three indices of Covid-19 status: test-negative result for current infectiousness, test-positive for antibodies conferring natural immunity, or vaccination(s) conferring immunity. Results Thirty-three papers met the inclusion criteria, only three of which were rated as low risk of bias. Public attitudes were generally favourable towards the use of immunity certificates for international travel, but unfavourable towards their use for access to work and other activities. A significant minority was strongly opposed to the use of certificates of immunity for any purpose. The limited evidence suggested that intention to get vaccinated varied with the activity enabled by certification or vaccination (e.g., international travel). Where vaccination is seen as compulsory this could lead to unwillingness to accept a subsequent vaccination. There was some evidence that restricting access to settings and activities to those with antibody test certificates may lead to deliberate exposure to infection in a minority. Behaviours that reduce transmission may decrease upon health certificates based on any of the three indices of Covid-19 status, including physical distancing and handwashing.Conclusions The limited evidence suggests that health certification in relation to COVID-19 – outside of the context of international travel – has the potential for harm as well as benefit. Realising the benefits while minimising the harms will require real-time evaluations allowing modifications to maximise the potential contribution of certification to enable safer access to a range of activities.
Pelargonidin as an Attenuator of Neuronal Mitochondrial Dysfunction: An in Vivo Study
Authors: Rashed Engy , El-Hamoly Tarek , El-Sheikh Marwa , El-Ghazaly Mona A.
Published: April 2021

Targeting the neuronal mitochondria as a possible intervention to guard against neurodegenerative disorders' progression has been investigated in the current work via the administration of Pelargonidin (PEL) to rats intoxicated by the mitochondrial toxin Reserpine. The main criteria for choosing pelargonidin (PEL) were its reported poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-inhibitor, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities. Male rats were randomized into four experimental groups; normal control, reserpinized to induce mitochondrial failure, standard PARP-1-inhibitor 1,5-isoquinolinediol (DIQ)-treated reserpinized, and PEL-treated reserpinized . PEL significantly restored brain glutathione (GSH) with a reduction in nitric oxide contents as compared to reserpine-challenged group. Meanwhile, it improved the neuronal mitochondrial function by the elevation of complex I activity associated with a low ADP/ATP ratio. Likely, through its anti-inflammatory effect, PEL reduced the elevation of serum interlukine-1ß level and inhibited serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. These findings were aligned with the reduced expressions of cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 proteins, indicating PEL suppressive effect to the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Those biochemical findings were confirmed through comparable histopathological tissue examination among the experimental groups. In conclusion, PEL is a promising candidate for the future use in management of mitochondria-associated neuronal complications via controlling the ongoing inflammatory and degeneration cascades.
Effects of Mesh Loop Modes on Performance of Unstructured Finite Volume GPU Simulations
Authors: Weng Yue , Zhang Xi , Guo Xiaohu , Zhang Xianwei , Lu Yutong , Liu Yang
Published: April 2021

In unstructured finite volume method, loop on different mesh components such as cells, faces, nodes, etc is used widely for the traversal of data. Mesh loop results in direct or indirect data access that affects data locality significantly. By loop on mesh, many threads accessing the same data lead to data dependence. Both data locality and data dependence play an important part in the performance of GPU simulations. For optimizing a GPU-accelerated unstructured finite volume Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program, the performance of hot spots under different loops on cells, faces, and nodes is evaluated on Nvidia Tesla V100 and K80. Numerical tests under different mesh scales show that the effects of mesh loop modes are different on data locality and data dependence. Specifically, face loop makes the best data locality, so long as access to face data exists in kernels. Cell loop brings the smallest overheads due to non-coalescing data access, when both cell and node data are used in computing without face data. Cell loop owns the best performance in the condition that only indirect access of cell data exists in kernels. Atomic operations reduced the performance of kernels largely in K80, which is not obvious on V100. With the suitable mesh loop mode in all kernels, the overall performance of GPU simulations can be increased by 15%-20%. Finally, the program on a single GPU V100 can achieve 4.8 speed up comparing with 28 MPI tasks on two Intel CPUs Xeon Gold 6132.
Does Anterior Controllable Antidisplacement and Fusion Technique Improve Quality of Life in Revision Treatment for Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament? Three-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Li Hai-Dong , Min Ji-Kang
Published: April 2021

Background: The laminoplasty and laminectomy are two comparatively safe posterior procedures for the treatment of OPLL. The long-term outcomes of posterior surgery seem to be favorable, however it is also criticized for C5 nerve root palsy, progression OPLL and bad cervical lordosis. An additional revision surgery was required for those patients who had the poor clinical improvement after the initial posterior surgery.Methods: This study was to identify the mid-term clinical results and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after anterior controllable antidisplacement and fusion (ACAF) technique for revision treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). All the patients were followed up for more than 3 years. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scales, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) were recorded to evaluate the health-related quality of life. And the neck and arm pain scale as an expression of visual analog scale (VAS) were also collected. Intraoperative parameters, clinical features, radiological investigations and the surgery-related complications were performed to analysis. Results: There were 20 patients who underwent ACAF revision surgery between March 2017 and January 2019. Clinical improvements were observed in all outcomes; significant improvements on the NDI, VAS, SF-36, and JOA scores were maintained at 3 years (P < 0.05). All the patients showed a better cervical alignment, and the average cervical lordosis was 17±4.6° after revision surgery. There was only one case of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, no instance of C5 root platy, postoperative hematoma or esophageal injury occured. No instrumented failure or pseudarthrosis case was observed during the follow-up.Conclusions: This study suggested that ACAF is an effective and safe procedure for the revision treatment of cervical OPLL. Such a surgical technique can offer the postoperative improvement on pain levels and health-related quality of life.
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate and Assess the Effect of Comprehensive Pre-End Stage Kidney Disease Education on Home Dialysis Use in Veterans, Rationale and Design
Authors: Shukla Ashutosh M. , Hale-Gallardo Jennifer , Orozco Tatiana , Freytes Ivette , Romero Sergio , Jia Huanguang , Purvis Zachary
Published: April 2021

Background Informed dialysis selection and greater home dialysis use are the two long-desired, underachieved targets of advanced chronic kidney disease care in the US healthcare system. Observational institutional studies have shown that comprehensive pre-end stage kidney disease (ESKD) disease education (CPE) can improve both these outcomes. However, lack of validated protocols, well-controlled studies, and systemic models have limited wide-spread adoption of CPE in the US. We hypothesized that a universal CPE and patient-centered initiation of renal replacement therapy can improve multiple clinical, patient-centered and health service outcomes in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ESKD.Methods Trial to Evaluate and Assess the effects of CPE on Home dialysis in Veterans (TEACH-VET) is a mixed method randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a system-based approach for providing CPE to all Veterans with advanced CKD across a regional healthcare System. The study will randomize 544 Veterans with non-dialysis stage 4 and 5 CKD in a 1:1 allocation stratified by their annual family income and the stage of CKD to an intervention (CPE) arm or control arm. Intervention arm will receive a two-phase CPE in an intent-to-teach manner. Control arm will receive usual clinical care supplemented by resources for the freely-available kidney disease information. Participants will be followed after intervention/control for the duration of the study or until 90-days post-ESKD, whichever occurs earlier.Results The primary outcome will assess the proportion of Veterans using home dialysis at 90-days post-ESKD, and secondary outcomes will include post-intervention/control CKD knowledge, confidence in dialysis decision and home dialysis selection. Qualitative arm of the study will use semi-structured interviews to in-depth assess Veterans’ satisfaction with the intervention, preference for delivery, and barriers and facilitators to home dialysis selection and use. Several post-ESKD clinical, patient-centered and health services outcomes will be assessed 90-days post-ESKD as additional secondary outcomes.Conclusion The results will provide evidence regarding the need and efficacy of a system-based, patient-centered approach towards universal CPE for all patients with advanced CKD. If successful, this may provide a blueprint for developing such programs across the similar healthcare infrastructures throughout the country.Trial registration: NCT04064086
Molecular subtyping and prognostic assessment of prostate cancer based on consensus genes
Authors: Meng Jialin , Guan Yu , Wang Bijun , Chen Lei , Chen Junyi , Zhang Meng , Liang Chaozhao
Published: April 2021

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies in men all over the world. We performed molecular subtyping and prognostic assessment based on consensus genes in patients with PCa. Five cohorts containing 1,046 PCa patients with RNA expression profiles and recorded clinical follow-up information were included. Univariate, multivariate Cox regression analysis and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox regression was used to select prognostic genes and establish the signature. Immunohistochemistry staining, cell proliferation, migration and invasion assay were used to assess the biological function of key genes. 39 intersecting consensus prognostic genes from five independent cohorts were identified (P < 0.05). Subsequently, an eleven-consensus-gene-based classifier was established. Besides, multivariate Cox regression analyses proved that the classifier served as an independent indicator of recurrence-free survival in three of five cohorts. Combined receiver operating character (ROC) achieved synthesized effects by combining the classifier with clinicopathological features in four of five cohorts. SRD5A2 inhibits the cell proliferation, while ITGA11 promote cell migration and invasion, of which might through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. To conclude, we establish and validate an eleven-consensus-gene-based classifier, which adds prognostic value to the currently available staging system.
Disparity of Perception of Quality of Life Between Head and Neck Cancer Patients and Caregivers
Authors: Kassir Zachary , Li Jinhong , Harrison Christine , Johnson Jonas T. , Nilsen Marci L.
Published: April 2021

Background

Caregivers are invaluable sources of support for individuals recovering from head and neck cancer (HNC). Accordingly, minimizing caregiver distress is essential to promote the well-being of both caregivers and their patients. This study assessed if psychosocial distress (i.e., anxiety and depression) among head and neck cancer caregivers is associated with a difference in how caregivers and their patients perceive patients’ quality of life (QOL) after treatment completion.
Methods

Caregivers completed the University of Washington QOL Questionnaire (UWQOL) for their patients while patients completed the survey as part of clinic intake. Linear regression was used to analyze the association between differences in caregivers’ and patients’ QOL scores and caregiver anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Questionaire-7) and depression (Patient Health Questionaire-8).
Results

Of 47 caregivers recruited, 42.6% (n = 20) viewed patient QOL more negatively than patients themselves. These caregivers scored significantly higher on the PHQ-8 than caregivers who agreed with patients (p ≤ .01).
Conclusion

Caregivers commonly view patients’ QOL more negatively than patients themselves. These caregivers tend to have greater psychosocial distress than caregivers who agree with their patients. Interventions designed to aid at-risk caregivers are critically needed.
Chemogenetic modulation of histaminergic neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus alters territorial aggression and wakefulness
Authors: Naganuma Fumito , Nakamura Tadaho , Kuroyanagi Hiroshi , Tanaka Masato , Yoshikawa Takeo , Yanai Kazuhiko , Okamura Nobuyuki
Published: April 2021

Designer receptor activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) techniques are widely used to modulate the activities of specific neuronal populations during behavioural tasks. However, DREADDs-induced modulation of histaminergic neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus (HATMN neurons) has produced inconsistent effects on the sleep–wake cycle, possibly due to the use of Hdc-Cre mice driving Cre recombinase and DREADDs activity outside the targeted region. Moreover, previous DREADDs studies have not examined locomotor activity and aggressive behaviours, which are also regulated by brain histamine levels. In the present study, we investigated the effects of HATMN activation and inhibition on the locomotor activity, aggressive behaviours and sleep–wake cycle of Hdc-Cre mice with minimal non-target expression of Cre-recombinase. Chemoactivation of HATMN moderately enhanced locomotor activity in a novel open field. Activation of HATMN neurons significantly enhanced aggressive behaviour in the resident–intruder test. Wakefulness was increased and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep decreased for an hour by HATMN chemoactivation. Conversely HATMN chemoinhibition decreased wakefulness and increased NREM sleep for 6 hours. These changes in wakefulness induced by HATMN modulation were related to vigilance status transition. These results indicate the influences of HATMN neurons on exploratory activity, territorial aggression, and wake maintenance.
Accuracy of Tibial Tuberosity-Trochlear Groove Distance, Tibial Tuberosity-Posterior Cruciate Ligament Distance In Terms of The Severeity of Trochlear Dysplasia
Authors: Dong Conglei , Zhao Chao , Li Ming , Fan Chongyi , Feng Xunkai , Piao Kang , Hao Kuo , Wang Fei
Published: April 2021

Purpose Increased Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove Distance (TT-TG) was proposed as one of the main risk factors for patellofemoral instability (PFI). The increased TT-TG distance indicated externalization of the tibial tubercle with the reference of the trochlear groove. However, in the case of severe trochlear dysplasia, the reference point on the trochlear groove was indistinct, and the accuracy of TT-TG was controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of TT-TG and TT-PCL in consideration of the mild and sereve trochlear dysplasia . Methods From 2015 to 2020, MRI findings of consecutive knee joints with PFI symptoms diagnosed in our hospital was retrospectively analyzed. All knees with trochlear dysplasia were diagnosed by longitudinal MRI scan and lateral radiograph. The knees were classified according to the four-type classification system described by Dejour et al. 20 cases of type A (mild trochlear dysplasia), 20 cases of type B, C, and D (severe trochlear dysplasia), and 20 cases of normal type were selected and divided into normal group (normal trohlea), mild group (type A) and severe group (type B, type C, type D). Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove Distance (TT-TG), Tibial Tubercle-Posterior Cruciate Ligament Distance (TT-PCL), and the Dejour classification of trochlear dysplasia was assessed by 2 experience orthopaedics. The the reliability of TT-TG diatance and TT-PCL distance was tested by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).Results Comparing the differences between TT-TG and TT-PCL in the normal, mild and severe groups, the TT-TG and TT-PCL in the mild and severe group show different meanings. (normal, 8.83±3.62 mm vs. 8.44±4.57mm, P>0.05；mild, 17.30±4.81 mm vs. 20.09±5.05mm, P<0.05；severe, 10.79±4.24 mm vs. 12.31±5.43mm, P>0.05). The Pearson correlation coefficient of TT-TG and TT-PCL measurements of trochlear dysplasia were r=0.480 (mild group, P=0.032), r=0.585 (severe group, P<0.001). The Intra-observer ICC of TT-TG were r=0.814 (mild group), r=0.739 (severe group). The Inter-observer ICC of TT-TG were r=0.810 (mild group), r=0.713 (severe group). In the normal knee, the Pearson correlation coefficient of TT-TG and TT-PCL was r=0.787(P<0.001), the Intra-observer ICC of TT-TG was r=0.989, and the Inter-observer ICC of TT-TG was r=0.978. Conclusion Compared with the mild trchlear dysplasia, the inter-observer and intra-observer correlations of TT-TG measurements decreased in group of sereve dysplastic trochlea (Inter-observer ICC, 0.810 vs. 0.713; Intra-observer ICC , 0.814 vs. 0.739). In the present study, the determination of TT-TG and TT-PCL distance are of great significance for patients with low grade trochlear dysplasia. And TT-PCL, without referring to the abnormal trochlear groove, is an effective indicator to measure the lateraltization of tibial tuberosity in patients with sereve dysplastic trochlea.
Predictors of Early-onset Neonatal Sepsis in Premature Newborns: Case Control Study
Authors: Takassi Ounoo Elom , Atakouma Yawo Dzayisse
Published: April 2021

Background: Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) is difficult to diagnose clinically because the semiology of premature newborns is poor during the first days of life. This study aimed to identify predictive factors of EOS in neonates less than 37 weeks gestational age in neonatal care at Louis Mourier Hospital. Method: This was a case-control study of all newborns <37 weeks of gestational age diagnosed and managed for EOS from January 1 to December 31, 2019. The main parameters studied were demographic characteristics, risk factors, biological and bacteriological characteristics. At the benchmarking level, the statistical tests used were the Mac Nemar test for qualitative variables and the paired Student's test for quantitative variables. Results: A total of 50 mother-child pairs were included in this study (25 cases and 25 matched controls). The results showed a statistically significant relationship between the birth of a child suffering from an EOS and between a premature rupture of membranes (PRM)> 18 h (68% of cases versus 36% of controls ( p: 0.042)); a positive culture of the placenta (p: 0.0002); a CRP> 6 mg / l (88% of cases against 20% of controls (p: 0.001)); a PCT> 0.6 ng / ml (72% of cases vs. 16% of controls (p: 0.001)). Grams negative including E. coli (44.5%) and Haemophilus Influenzae (14.8%) were the most common bacteria found. Conclusion: The search for risk factors must be systematic. The dosage of PCT must be coupled with that of CRP and the clinic must remain at the center of the diagnostic process.
Micro-Stratification for Malaria Transmission Risk in a High Burden Area of Honduras
Authors: Nicolas José Orlinder , Escobar Denis , Banegas Engels , Valdez José Ramón , Torres Rosa Elena Mejía , Singh Prabhjot
Published: April 2021

Background

As Malaria cases are continuously reported across the globe, epidemiological and integral approaches should be considered for an optimal stratification on endemic areas for elimination goal. In Central America, a 75% reduction in malaria incidence has been reported between 2000 and 2015, similarly, in Honduras, more than 75% of total cases in 2016 were concentrated in 7 municipalities, mainly in Gracias Dios department. Achieve malaria elimination in Honduras demands the implementation of strategies to identify main hotspots.
Methods

Based on WHO guidelines, local malaria epidemiological data from case-based surveillance system of the Ministry of Health between January and December 2016 were analysed. Furthermore, on field evaluations were carried out in Puerto Lempira municipality, Gracias a Dios department to an analysis validation. Finally, a set of epidemiological components were generated and proposed together with risk-factor description and proposed actions for health system improvement.
Results

On 2016, Gracias a Dios reported 61% of total malaria cases in Honduras; based on our analysis, 12 micro-areas were identified, including epidemiological, entomological, and socio-demographic information from local technicians.
Conclusions

Malaria elimination in endemic areas urges implementation of different strategies, here we show the on-field micro-stratification process of 12 “micro-areas” carried out in one endemic department of Honduras. This information provides a more targeted strategy for diagnosis, treatment, and vector control interventions for malaria elimination goal in Honduras.
Impacts of Late-Spring North Eurasian Soil Moisture Variation on Summer Rainfall Anomalies in Northern East Asia
Authors: Sang Yinghan , Ren Hong-Li , Deng Yi , Xu Xiaofeng , Shi Xueli , Zhao Shuo
Published: April 2021

This paper reports findings from a diagnostic and modeling analysis that investigates the impact of the late-spring soil moisture anomaly over North Eurasia on the boreal summer rainfall over northern East Asia (NEA). Soil moisture in May in the region from the Kara-Laptev Sea coasts to Central Siberian Plateau is found to be negatively correlated with the summer rainfall from Mongolia to Northeast China. The atmospheric circulation anomalies associated with the anomalously dry soil are characterized by a pressure dipole with the high-pressure center located over North Eurasia and the low-pressure center over NEA, where an anomalous lower-level moisture convergence occurs, favoring rainfall formation. Diagnoses and Modeling experiments demonstrate that the effect of the spring low soil moisture over North Eurasia may persist into the following summer through modulating local surface latent and sensible heat fluxes, increasing low-level air temperature at higher latitudes, and effectively reducing the meridional temperature gradient. The weakened temperature gradient could induce the decreased zonal wind and the generation of a low-pressure center over NEA, associated with a favorable condition of local synoptic activity. The above relationships and mechanisms are vice versa for the prior wetter soil and decreased NEA rainfall. These findings suggest that soil moisture anomalies over North Eurasia may act as a new precursor providing an additional predictability source for better predicting the summer rainfall in NEA.
Robust Matrix Completion By Exploiting Dynamic Low-Dimensional Structures
Authors: Wang Ren , Gao Pengzhi , Wang Meng
Published: April 2021

This paper studies the robust matrix completion problem for time-varying models. Leveraging the low-rank property and the temporal information of the data, we develop novel methods to recover the original data from partially observed and corrupted measurements. We show that the reconstruction performance can be improved if one further leverages the information of the sparse corruptions in addition to the temporal correlations among a sequence of matrices. The dynamic robust matrix completion problem is formulated as a nonconvex optimization problem, and the recovery error is quantified analytically and proved to decay in the same order as that of the state-of-the-art method when there is no corruption. A fast iterative algorithm with convergence guarantee to the stationary point is proposed to solve the nonconvex problem. Experiments on synthetic data and real video dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
Fatal Community-Acquired Bloodstream Infection Caused By Klebsiella Variicola: A Case Report
Authors: Long Dali , Wang Yuhui , Wang Jinlong , Mu Sijie , Chen Li , Shi Xianqing , Li Jianquan
Published: April 2021

Background Klebsiella pneumoniae infection leads to significant concerns because of its varied manifestation and resultant mortality. While recent genetic structure analysis reveals that the higher virulence and mortality could be from its subspecies rather than Klebsiella pneumoniae. However, which is often misdiagnosed and underestimated in clinic because it’s difficult to distinguish Klebsiella pneumoniae from its subspecies using classic clinical examinations. This case study is the first in clinic to report the fast and fatal effect of Klebsiella subspecies, and serve as reference for doctors diagnosing similar diseases. Case presentation A 52-years male patient was admitted to hospital due to unknown high fever. All examinations excluded the viruses, fungi, mycoplasma/chlamydia and parasitic infection. Classic bacterial culture revealed the klebsiella pneumonia, however sensitive antibacterial adheres to drug susceptibility results failed to improve patient’s symptoms. His condition worsened and rapidly entered sepsis and subsequent sepsis shock, died within 72 hours of symptom onset. The PMseq-DNA Pro High throughput gene detection was acquired on second day after death revealing the mixed infection of klebsiella variicola and klebsiella pneumoniae. Clinic evidences suggested that Klebsiella variicola rather than klebsiella pneumoniae contributed to patient’s poor prognosis. Conclusions: This is the first case reported that patient died from klebsiella subspecies infection within short period of time. Which suggests that we should be alert to the clinical hazards and fatal effect of klebsiella subspecies. Classic method is limited in guiding the anti-infection therapy for complex cases, early genetic detection should be recommended in the diagnosis and management of complex infection.
The Effects of Al3(Sc, Zr) Precipitation Phase on Selective Laser Melting Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy: Microstructure, Mechanical properties and Fatigue resistance
Authors: Lee Liang-Yan , Chang Kai-Chieh , Zhao Jun-Ren , Hung Fei-Yi
Published: April 2021

In this study, an Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy fabricated through selective laser melting (SLM) was subjected to a single-stage heat-treatment process and a two-stage heat-treatment process to determine the effect of heat treatment on the tensile properties and fatigue properties of the alloy at room temperature and high temperatures. The results indicated that heat treatment caused the precipitation of Al3(Sc, Zr), thus increasing the tensile strength. The dynamic strain aging of the SLM Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy disappeared as the tensile temperature increased. The alloy exhibited the highest tensile strength after it was subjected to the single-stage heat treatment at both room temperature and high temperatures owing to the precipitated phase distribution at the melting pool boundaries. However, fatigue resistance and high-temperature necking of the as-printed SLM Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy were problems that could not be resolved with the single-stage heat treatment. In the two-stage heat treatment, the precipitated phases exhibited a uniform distribution in the matrix, thereby reducing the high-temperature necking phenomenon. The two-stage heat treatment helped reduce the melting pool interface effect and strengthen the matrix, restricting the propagation of fatigue cracks and increasing the fatigue life of materials.
Effect of capsular tension ring on optical and multifunctional lens position outcomes: a systematic review and a Meta-analysis
Authors: Shou Xie Tang , Liu Xi , Zhu Jie , Li Xiuyun
Published: April 2021

AIM: To evaluate the effect of capsular tension rings with multifunctional lens position and optical outcomes.METHODS: We defined multifunctional lens more than improve vision, but also restore visual quality. Search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library. Scopus for English-language articles published up to November 11, 2020. Randomized controlled trials and comparative prospective clinical trials were selected. Data extraction was completed by independent pairs of reviewers. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool for RCTs and select items from the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for comparative prospective clinical trials.RESULTS: a total of 5 randomized controlled trials and 6 prospective comparative clinical trials were included. Evaluating 1099 eyes of implantation intraocular lens. Capsular tension ring was helpful associated in un-corrected distance visual acuity (SMD: 0.54, 95%CI=0.15 to 0.94, P=0.829) in 1st month. Contrary to 1st month, no show positive effect in 3rd month un-corrected distance visual acuity (SMD: -0.30, 95%CI=-0.70 to -0.10, P=0.311), corrected distance visual acuity (SMD: 0.02, 95%CI=-0.78 to 0.81, P<0.001), sphere (SMD: 0.44, 95%CI=-0.43 to 1.31, P<0.001), cylinder (SMD: -0.12, 95%CI=-0.36 to 0.13, P=0.262), and spherical equivalent (SMD: 0.41, 95%CI=0.13 to 0.69, P=0.084). Our study also revealed low correlation between capsular tension ring and postoperative optical outcome with un-corrected distance visual acuity (SMD: 0.43, 95%CI=-0.69 to 1.56, P=0.001), corrected distance visual acuity (SMD: -0.11, 95%CI=-0.43 to 0.20, P=0.56), sphere (SMD: -0.26, 95%CI=-1.18 to 0.66, P=0.005), cylinder (SMD: 0.10, 95%CI=-0.39 to 0.59, P=0.075), spherical equivalent (SMD: 0.22, 95%CI=-0.10 to 0.54, P=0.849) in 6th month. The position of intraocular lens co-implantation with capsular tension ring was no significantly difference in 1st week with lens de-centration (SMD: -0.34, 95%CI=-1.19 to 0.51, P=0.038) and tilt (SMD: -1.00, 95%CI=-2.19 to 0.19, P=0.007), but capsular tension ring is helpful to prevent lens tilt in 1st month (SMD: -0.67, 95%CI=-1.08 to 0.27, P=0.323). In 3rd month, no significant difference between two groups in lens rotation (SMD: -0.51, 95%CI=-1.71 to 0.69, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: The correlation is low between capsular tension ring and postoperative optical outcomes and lens position, based on small numbers of studies in a short range of follow-up.
Characterization and Diversity of plant growth promoting Endophytic and Rhizosphere Bacteria isolated from theRhizosphere and tissues of Pepper and their effect on plant growth promotion and disease suppression of Phytophthora capsici
Authors: Admassie Mesele , Wold-Hawariat Yitbark , Alemu Tesefaye
Published: April 2021

Plant growth promoting rhizo and endophytic bacteria were isolated from different parts of pepper from south eastern Ethiopia. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGP) are those that may be used to promote plant growth and suppress plant diseases. The objectives of this study were to identify and characterize PGPB indigenous to pepper rhizosphere and endophyte bacteria in Ethiopia, and to determine their capacity to suppress Phytophthora capsici in pepper. From a total of 60 isolates, 20 were selected based on their in vitro antagonism activity of phytopathogens and plant growth promoting traits. From the total 60 strains representing, 38 rhizosphere, and 22 endophytic bacteria were identified based on biochemical assays of semi-automated Vitec 2 compact and ten potential bacteria further identified by molecular methods. Results revealed that only one isolate of rhizosphere and three endophytic bacteria showed more than 50% suppression of test pathogens. The isolates were evaluated for their ability to solubilize phosphate, as well as for ammonia, indole acetic acid, hydrogen cyanide, and biofilm production. The selected isolates produced (0.2–93 µg mL− 1) of indole-3-acetic acid, without supplemented with tryptophan, while supplemented with tryptophan it produces (11.23–159 µg mL− 1). The activities of plant growth-promoting were assessed by measuring their effect on the number of lateral roots, root and shoot length of Arabidopsis plants, and germination percentage of pepper plants. Pepper plants grown from seeds that were treated with these PGPB strains showed significantly higher levels of germination, seedling vigor, and growth, compared to non-treated control plants. Since these PGPB inoculants showed multiple characters useful to the host plants, they may be used as an alternative in the production of new, safe, and effective seed treatments as bio-fungicides. Generally, this work exhibits the potential of bacterial isolates to control Phytophthora infection and promote plant growth.
Synthesis of a Triazine-Based Hyper Branched Macromolecule Charring Agent and its Effect on Flame-Retardant Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer to Improve Anti-Dripping
Authors: Wang Zhengyi , Wu Wei , Lin Hongchen , Zhang Wenjing , Xu Xinzhu , Wang Wei
Published: April 2021

A triazine-based charring agent (CDS) was synthesized and combined with diethyl aluminum hypophosphite (AlPi) to develop an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system to improve thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) anti-dripping. The results showed that the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the TPEE/15AlPi/5CDS composite reached 30.2%, and it passed the V-0 test in vertical combustion (UL-94). The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that CDS had good thermal stability and high char residue (50.8wt%) at 700°C. And when combined with AlPi added to TPEE, which can improve its char residue ranges from 1.68wt% to 23.52wt%. The structure evolution during the heating process was studied by heating infrared spectroscopy (IR), and the morphology and chemical structure of char residues were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS). The high-efficiency flame-retardant TPEE composite formed a continuous, dense and porous char layer containing triazine ring and aromatic ring structure after combustion.
Performance evaluation of zirconium silicate composite for removal of cadmium and zinc ions
Authors: Attia Lamis A. , Sami N.M. , Hassan H.S. , Metwally Sayed
Published: April 2021

The purification of wastewater is preferred using the adsorption technique by the column due to the high efficiency of the process. The column studies are achieved to predict the removal of pollutants and clarify the adsorption capability of these pollutants in the treatment process of wastewater. Zinc and cadmium ions are presented in both radioactive and industrial wastes. Consequently, this work focused on the removal of zinc and cadmium ions from polluted wastewater using a fixed-bed column. Zirconia–silicate composite (ZrO2–SiO2) was produced using the sol-gel technique and analyzed for this purpose. Various parameters as bed depth (2, 3, and 5 cm), flow rate (2 and 3 mL/min), and initial ions concentrations (50–200 mg/L) were investigated. The column performance was computed to be 80.3 and 79.3% for Zn2+ and Cd2+, respectively, at the optimum conditions (3 cm bed depth, 2 mL/min flow rate, and 100 mg/L ions concentration). Thomas, Adams–Bohart, and Yoon–Nelson models were performed to estimate the breakthrough curves and compute the column model parameters which are valuable for process design. Thomas model presented the highest R2 values (0.84–0.97) and offered the most accurate estimation of the adsorption process.