bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and Molecular Detection of IMP and SPM Metallo-Beta-Lactamases in Clinical Isolates of Carbapenem Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Bazgir Zahra Norouzi , Ahanjan Mohammad , Goli Hamid Reza , Ghasemian Roya , Hashemi-Soteh Mohammad Bagher
Published: September 2020

Objectives: Metallo-beta-lactamases play a major role in the resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to carbapenems. The aim of this study was the phenotypic and molecular detection of IMP and SPM carbapenemase genes in 100 carbapenem-resistant clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. The isolates identified using standard microbiological tests, and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern determined by disk agar diffusion (Kirby Bauer) method. Phenotypic identification of Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing strains assessed by the combined disk test (CDT). Then, PCR was used to detect the presence of IMP and SPM genes.Results: The highest and lowest levels of antibiotic resistance were observed against gentamicin (40%) and piperacillin-tazobactam (13%), respectively. Besides, 40 isolates (40%) had the Multi-drug Resistant (MDR) phenotype, while 5 (12.5%) MDR isolates were resistant to all antibiotics tested. The results of the CDT showed that among 43 carbapenem non-susceptible clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, 33 (76.74%) isolates were Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing strains. Also, the frequency of the IMP gene was determined to be 9%, while none of these isolates carried the SPM gene. Due to the high prevalence of carbapenem-resistant and MDR P. aeruginosa in this study, routine antibiotic susceptibility testing and phenotypic identification of carbapenemase production by this bacterium are necessary for proper selection of antibiotics.
Resilience, Occupational Burnout, and Parenting Stress in Nurses Caring for COVID-2019 Patients
Authors: Bashirian Saeid , Bijani Mostafa , Borzou Seyed Reza , Khazaei Salman , mohammadi fateme
Published: September 2020

Background: Caring of COVID-19 patients may have had an impact on the occupational burnout, resilience, and parenting of the nurses. Purpose: Evaluation occupational burnout, resilience, and parenting stress in nurses caring for COVID-19 patients.Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study. 420 nurses cared for COVID-19 patients in 5 hospitals selected via convenience sampling. Each participant completed the scales online. Data were analyzed in SPSS v. 22.Results: Occupational burnout has a significant negative correlation with resilience and a significant positive correlation with parenting stress and can predict 61.32% of changes in the occupational burnout variance of nurses. Conclusion: Nurses have reported high levels of occupational burnout low levels resilience and high levels tension in their relations with their children. The nurse managers should use these findings to provide appropriate environments for nurses, that to develop more comprehensive plans for support of nurses for the current and future crises.
Disease Associated Protein-Protein Interaction Network Reconstruction Based on Comprehensive Influence Analysis
Authors: Zhu Fei , Li Feifei , Ling Xinghong , Shen Bairong
Published: September 2020

Background: Proteins and their interactions are fundamental to biological systems and they are affecting our body. Functional study of protein networks is becoming increasingly essential to get a deep understanding of proteins and their roles in human life and diseases. Although several methods already exist for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network building, the precise reconstruction of disease associated PPI network remains a challenge. In this paper we introduce a novel concept of comprehensive influence of proteins in network, in which direct and indirect connections are adopted for the calculation of influential effects of a protein with different weights. With the optimized weights, we calculate and select the important proteins and their interactions to reconstruct the PPI network for further validation and confirmation.Results: To evaluate the performance of the method, we compared our model with six existing methods using five standard data sets.Conclusions: The results indicated that our method outperforms the existed ones. We then applied our model to prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease to predict novel disease associated proteins for the future experimental validation.
Determinants of Emotional Exhaustion Among Nursing Workforce in Urban Ghana: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Poku Collins Atta , Donkor Ernestina , Naab Florence
Published: September 2020

Background: The subject of emotional exhaustion in an organisation has become important because of the emerging trends in employment and its related problems. Unhealthy practice environment is a major threat in the incidence of emotional exhaustion among nurses; and organisational cultures that do not support its personnel has huge burnout costs. The study aimed at assessing rate of emotional exhaustion; determined factors that accounts for it and also ascertained the coping strategies used by nurses to overcome it in the Ghanaian health care setting. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a proportionate stratified sampling was used to draw a sample of 232 nurses in five health facilities. A standardized questionnaire of Professional Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index, Maslach Burnout Inventory and Coping Scale were used assess variables under study. The STROBE guidelines were followed in reporting this study.Results: High rate of emotional exhaustion was reported among registered nurses. The practice environment of the nurse explained 39.6% of the variance in emotional exhaustion. Emotion-focused and problem-focused approaches were identified to be used by nurses to cope with emotional exhaustion. Conclusion: When appropriate and effective intervention are employed, emotional exhaustion will be reduce and this will enrich the effectiveness of quality care delivery to patients.
Three-dimensional Analysis of the Root Canal Preparation with Reciproc Blue, WaveOne Gold and XP EndoShaper. A New Method in vivo
Authors: Caviedes-Bucheli Javier , Rios-Osorio Nestor , Usme Diana , Jimenez Cristian , Pinzon Adriana , Rincón Jorge , Azuero-Holguin María M , Zubizarreta-Macho Alvaro , Gomez-Sosa Jose F , Munoz Hugo R
Published: September 2020

Background: Evaluation of changes in volume after root canal preparation. with single file rotary systems such as Reciproc-Blue, WaveOne-Gold and XP-EndoShaper, with a new in vivo study model using CBCT and 3D reconstructions on patients Methods: Thirty human lower premolars were randomly divided into three groups, in which the root canals were prepared using one of these single-file systems: Reciproc-Blue, WaveOne-Gold and XP-EndoShaper. Root canals were scanned before and after root canal preparation using CBCT, and a 3D reconstruction was performed with RHINOCEROS 5.0 software to assess the increase in canal volume for each group after instrumentation. The Anova test was used to determine statistically significant differences between the groups and Post-hoc Tukey's-test to compare the groups with each other. Results: The proposed 3D-reconstruction model allows to measure the variation of the volume within the root canal of the premolars studied. With this model, Reciproc-Blue showed higher increase in canal volume, followed by WaveOne-Gold and XP-EndoShaper (Anova p = 0.003). XP-EndoShaper did not show a statistically significant increase in canal volume after root canal preparation (Tukey's test for paired data p = 0.06 confirmed the results with each other).Conclusion: it is possible to use CBCT and 3D reconstruction as a model to study the preparation quality of the root canal in vivo. With this model, Reciproc-Blue showed higher increase in root canal volume, followed by WaveOne-Gold, while XP-EndoShaper did not significantly increase root canal volume during preparation.
Increased Risk of Ocular Hypertension in Patients with Cushing’s Disease: An Underestimated Comorbidity
Authors: Chen Zhengyuan , Ma Yichen , Ma Zengyi , Ye Zhao , He Wenqiang , Zhang Qilin , He Min , Ye Hongying , Zhang Zhaoyun , Wang Yongfei , Yang Huiyin , Lu Zhaozeng , Wang Zhiliang , Qiao Nidan , Xiao Yiqin , Zhao Yao
Published: September 2020

BackgroundThe association between ocular hypertension and endogenous hypercortisolemia, as well as the ophthalmological outcomes after endocrine remission due to a surgical resection were still unknown. MethodsIntraocular pressure (IOP), visual field and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were documented in all patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) admitted to a tertiary pituitary center for surgery from Jan to Jul 2019. Patients with acromegaly and patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) during the same study period were served as controls. We calculated the odds ratio and identified risk factors of developing ocular hypertension, and presented postoperative trends of IOP.Results52 patients (38.4±12.4 years old) with CD were included. IOP was higher in patients with CD (left 19.4 ± 5.4 mmHg and right 20.0 ± 7.1 mmHg) than patients with acromegaly (left 17.5 ± 2.3 mmHg and right 18.6 ± 7.0 mmHg, p = 0.033) and patients with NFPA (left 17.8 ± 2.6 mmHg and right 17.4 ± 2.4 mmHg, p = 0.005). 21 eyes (20.2%) in patients with CD were diagnosed with ocular hypertension comparing to 4 eyes (4.7%) in the acromegaly group and 4 eyes (4.5%) in the NFPA group. The odds ratio of developing ocular hypertension in patients with CD was 5.1 (95% CI, 1.3 – 25.1, p = 0.029) and 6.6 (95% CI, 1.8 – 30.3, p = 0.007), comparing with the two control groups, respectively. Among patients with CD, those with higher urine free cortisol were more likely to develop ocular hypertension (OR 19.4, 95% CI 1.7 – 72.6). IOP decreased at one-month follow-up in patients with CD and the change sustained at three-month follow-up. ConclusionsIn conclusion, patients with CD had increased risk of developing ocular hypertension comparing to other types of pituitary adenomas, which warrant the discretion of both ophthalmologists and neuroendocrinologists.
Application of Chaotic Encryption Algorithm Based on Variable Parameters in RFID Security
Authors: Liu Baolong , Yang Jianfang , Chen Hua
Published: September 2020

In recent years, chaotic encryption has been well applied in the field of cryptography by virtue of its unique characteristics, and it has received more and more attention in the security of RFID data transmission. Using the same key for encryption and decryption operations is a lightweight encryption algorithm. However, there are various problems in the application process of chaotic encryption: (1) nonlinear dynamic characteristics degradation and short-cycle cycle problems will occur under the influence of computer limited accuracy; (2) numerical conversion operations are required during application, to a certain extent It will affect the randomness of the iterative sequence; (3) During the iterative process, the iterative sequence cannot be spread over the entire value interval, and the randomness is poor. This paper proposes an improved segmented Logistic mapping encryption algorithm, uses the m-sequence to perturb initial value and sets a fixed step to change the control parameter value to generate a chaotic key stream sequence, and applies it to the RFID system data transmission security mechanism to encrypt the data.Experimental simulation and performance analysis show that the iterated chaotic sequence has good random distribution characteristics, unpredictability and traversability. Compared with the previous improvement, the key space is increased to reach the size of 1024 space and can meet the security needs, which improve RFID data security and can effectively avoid various security problems.
Nuclear Reaction Network Unveils Novel Reaction Patterns and Nuclei Stability
Authors: Jiang Chunheng , Szymanski Boleslaw , Havlin Shlomo , Gao Jianxi
Published: September 2020

Despite the advances in discovering new nuclei, modeling microscopic nuclear structure, nuclear reactors, and stellar nucleosynthesis, we lack a systemic tool, in the form of a network framework,
to understand the structure and dynamics of 70 thousands reactions discovered until now.
We assemble here a nuclear reaction network in which a node represents a nuclide, and a link represents a direct reaction between nuclides.
Interestingly, the degree distribution of nuclear network exhibits
a bimodal distribution that significantly deviates from
the power-law distribution of scale-free networks and
Poisson distribution of random networks.
The distribution is universal for reactions with a rate below the threshold,
λ-Tγ, where T is the temperature and γ≈1.05.
We discovered three rules that govern the structure pattern of nuclear reaction network: (i) reaction-type is determined by linking choices, (ii) spatial distances between the reacting nuclides are short,
and (iii) each node in- and out- degrees are close to each other.
By incorporating these three rules, our model
unveils the underlying nuclear reaction patterns hidden
in a large and dense nuclear reaction network.
It enables us
to predict missing links that
represent possible new nuclear reactions not yet discovered.
Travel Habits of Patients with End-Stage Malignant Diseases: A Pilot Study
Authors: Stratmann Jan Alexander , Bitter John , Heringer Olav , Eladly Fadr , Vischedyk Jonas , Ballo Olivier , Hornetz Sofia , Koschade Sebastian , Hossini Nadija , Brandts Christian , Serve Hubert , Wegener Annika , Banek Severine , Shabnam Shaid , Sebastian Martin , Ahrens Marit , Wegener Kerstin
Published: September 2020

Background: Demographic development and continuing improvements in supportive and antineoplastic therapies are reasonable predictors of increasing travel activities carried out by patients with malignant diseases in the near future. There is a lack of data on travel habits of patients with end-stage oncological diseases. Methods: We performed a multi-phased cross-sectional study to gain insights into the intersection of travel medicine and oncology and report the process development and results of a first-in-class comprehensive questionnaire of travel habits in this particular subset of patients. Results: A total of 82 patients with 21 different cancer entities at a median age of 63 years (range, 28-84 years) completed the final questionnaire. 90.2% of all participants rated travelling as an important or very important aspect in their lives, of whom 73.2% had participated in a short- or holiday trip after the cancer diagnosis. All but one (98.8%) participant were about to plan a short- or holiday trip in the near future. Germany (home country) was the most important travel destination, ‘Relaxing’ and ‘enjoying nature’ were the most important travel motives. Fatigue and overall (medical) insecurities were major obstacles to carry out travel plans. Pre-travel advice by a healthcare provider was considered by less than 50% of all participants. Conclusions: In conclusion, a high proportion of patients enjoy national and international travelling. Physicians and patients are encouraged to openly discuss holiday-taking in accordance with available guidelines. More research is needed to fully understand needs and obstacles at the crossroads of travel medicine and oncology.
Neuronal NR4A1 and complement coordinate synaptic stripping by microglia in lupus
Authors: Xiaojuan Han , Tianshu Xu , Qijun Fang , Wang Dandan , Yao Genhong , Hu Gang , Sun lingyun
Published: September 2020

Up to 75% of systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients experience neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms, called neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we showed that complement-coordinated elimination of synapses participated in NPSLE in MRL/lpr mice, a lupus-prone murine model. We demonstrated that lupus mice developed increased anxiety-like behaviors and persistent phagocytic microglia reactivation before overt peripheral lupus pathology. In lupus brain, C1q was increased and localized at synaptic terminals, causing the apposition of phagocytic microglia, ensuing synaptic loss, and neurological disease. We further determined that neuronal Nr4a1 signaling was essential for attracting C1q synaptic deposition and then apposition of phagocytic microglia, resulting in synaptic loss and neurological disease. Minocycline-deactivated microglia, antibody-blocked C1q, or neuronal Nr4a1 restored protected lupus mice from synapse loss and NP manifestations. Our findings revealed an active role of neurons in coordinating microglia-mediated synaptic loss and highlight neuronal Nr4a1 and C1q as critical components amenable to pharmacological intervention in NPSLE.
Trends in Health Behavior and Weight Outcomes Following Enhanced Afterschool Programming Participation: A Pragmatic Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Rieder Jessica , Moon Jee-Young , Joels Joanna , Shankar Viswanathan , Meissner Paul , Johnson-Knox Elicia , Frohlich Bailey , Davies Shelby , Wylie-Rosett Judy
Published: September 2020

Background: The United States needs to increase access to effective obesity prevention and treatment programming for impoverished youth at risk for health disparities. Although interventions targeting schools are recommended, schools rarely implement evidence-based obesity programing.Methods: Using a pragmatic quasi-experimental design, we report on the effectiveness of adding structured nutrition education and minimum physical activity (PA) requirements to standard middle school onsite afterschool programming. Programming was evaluated over three school years (2016- 2018) to determine: 1) impact on healthy weight and target healthy behavior attainment; and 2) whether target behavior improvement was associated with afterschool program attendance and weight change.Results: In response to 601 recruitment letters 13% (76 students) enrolled (62% Hispanic, 46% girls, 72% with BMI > 85 th %ile, 49% with BMI > 95 th %ile). With low baseline attainment of 7 target behaviors including:1) daily breakfast and lunch (32%); 2) 2-3 servings fruit/day (53%); 3) > 3 servings vegetables/day (29%); 4) 8 cups sugar-free beverages (SFB)/day and <1 cup sugary beverage/day (9%); 5) > 8 hours sleep/night (75%); 6) > 7 hours PA/week (21%); and 7) < 1 unhealthy snack (US) and <1 fast food meal/week (25%), the calculated composite score was 2.5 out of 7. Of students with BMI > 85 th %ile, 44% maintained or decreased BMI Z-score. There were non-significant trends in improvements in BMI Z-score and target consumption of: fruit, vegetables, SFB, and US food. Students with higher afterschool attendance ( > 75%) had greater non-significant improvements in composite score, BMI Z-score, and in most target behaviors (5/7) compared to students with lower afterschool attendance (<75%). Although not significant, improvements in composite score attainment and most target behaviors (5/7) were associated with decreases in BMI Z-score. Sleep improvements were significantly associated with BMI Z-score decrease (Beta=-0.05, 95% CI (-0.1,-0.003), p=0.038.) Conclusions : Enhancement of existing afterschool programming with health oriented elements and minimum physical activity requirements demonstrates trends toward improvement in several health behaviors and weight outcomes. Addition of enhanced programming increases access to health activities and may bring us closer to solving issue of obesity in at-risk youth in impoverished communities.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03565744. Registered 21 June 2018 – Retrospectively registerd, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/LoginUser?ts=1&cx=-jg9qo4.
Coordination of microbe-host homeostasis via a crosstalk with plant innate immunity
Authors: Ma Ka-Wai , Niu Yulong , Jia Yong , Ordon Jana , Copeland Charles , Emonet Aurélia , Geldner Niko , Guan Rui , Stolze Sara , Nakagami Hirofumi , Garrido-Oter Ruben , Schulze-Lefert Paul
Published: September 2020

Asymptomatic plants grown in natural soil are colonized by phylogenetically structured communities of microbes known as the microbiota. Individual microbes can activate microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP)-triggered immunity (MTI), which limits pathogen proliferation but curtails plant growth, a phenomenon known as the growth-defense trade-off. We report that in mono-associations, 41% (62/151) of taxonomically diverse root bacterial commensals suppress Arabidopsis thaliana root growth inhibition (RGI) triggered by immune-stimulating MAMPs or damage-associated molecular patterns. Amplicon sequencing of bacteria 16S rRNA genes reveal that immune activation alters the profile of synthetic communities (SynComs) comprised of RGI-non-suppressive strains, while the presence of RGI-suppressive strains attenuates this effect. Root colonization by SynComs with different complexities and RGI-suppressive activities alters the expression of 174 core host genes with functions related to root development and nutrient transport. Further, RGI-suppressive SynComs specifically downregulate a subset of immune-related genes. Pre-colonization with RGI-suppressive SynComs, or mutation of one commensal-downregulated transcription factor, MYB15, render plants more susceptible to opportunistic Pseudomonas pathogens. Our results suggest that RGI-non-suppressive and suppressive root commensals modulate host susceptibility to pathogens by either eliciting or dampening MTI responses, respectively. This interplay buffers the plant immune system against pathogen perturbation and defense-associated growth inhibition, ultimately leading to commensal-host homeostasis.
Clinical efficacy and predictive biomarkers of ONC201 in H3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma
Authors: Koschmann Carl , Kawakibi Abed Rahman , Tarapore Rohinton , Gardner Sharon , Thomas Chase , Cartaxo Rodrigo , Yadav Viveka , Chi Andrew , Kurz Sylvia , Wen Patrick , Arrillaga Isabel , Batchelor Tracy , Butowski Nicholas , Sumrall Ashley , Shonka Nicole , Harrison Rebecca , Groot John De , Mehta Minesh , Odia Yazmin , Hall Matthew , Daghistani Doured , Cloughesy Timothy , Ellingson Benjamin , Kim Michelle , Umemura Yoshie , Garton Hugh , Franson Andrea , Robertson Patricia , Schwartz Jonathan , Marini Bernard , Pai Manjunath , Phoenix Timothy , Ji Sunjong , Cantor Evan , Miklja Zachary , Mullan Brendan , Bruzek Amy , Siada Ruby , Cummings Jessica , Stallard Stefanie , Wierzbicki Kyle , Paul Alyssa , Wolfe Ian , Dun Matthew , Cain Jason , Jiang Li , Filbin Mariella , Vats Pankaj , Kumar-Sinha Chandan , Mody Rajen , Chinnaiyan Arul , Pratt Drew , Venneti Sriram , Lu Guangrong , Mueller Sabine , Resnick Adam , Nazarian Javad , Waszak Sebastian , Allen Joshua
Published: September 2020

Patients with diffuse midline glioma (DMG) harboring H3 K27M mutation have no proven therapies beyond radiation. ONC201, a DRD2 antagonist and mitochondrial ClpP agonist, has induced early responses in patients with H3 K27M-mutant DMG. We performed an integrated pre-clinical and clinical assessment of ONC201 treatment, in order to define response rates in H3 K27M-mutant DMG patients and to clarify predictors of response. ONC201 was effective in murine H3 K27M-mutant gliomas with excellent CNS penetration and survival benefit. H3 K27M-mutant DMG patients treated with ONC201 on active clinical trials (n=50) showed significant survival benefit in recurrent and non-recurrent settings, with multiple sustained responses. Tumor sequencing from treated patients demonstrates an EGFR/FOXG1-driven telencephalic gene regulatory network that imparts a critical resistance phenotype to ONC201. Genetic and pharmacologic knockdown of EGFR in H3 K27M-mutant cell cultures results in improved sensitivity to ONC201 and reduced FOXG1 enhancer binding, suggesting possible future combinatorial opportunities.
Photoreceptor degeneration and choroidal neovascularization in aged BALB/c mice following systemic neonatal murine cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Xu Jinxian , Liu Xinglou , Zhang Xinyan , Marshall Brendan , Dong Zheng , Smith Sylvia , Espinosa-Heidmann Diego , Zhang Ming
Published: September 2020

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) represents a leading cause of irreversible visual dysfunction in older individuals but its genesis is poorly understood. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), which infects 50 to 80% of humans, is usually acquired during early life and persists in a latent state for the life of the individual. Here we show that systemic neonatal murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection of BALB/c mice resulted in dissemination of virus to the eye where it localized to choroidal endothelial cells and RPE cells. MCMV underwent ocular latency in all neonatally infected mice and latent/persistent ocular infection was associated with expression of MCMV immediate early genes, significant upregulation of several inflammatory/angiogenic factors. AMD–like pathology, including basal lamina deposits (BLamD), subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), severe photoreceptor degeneration, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) develop in eyes of latently-infected aged mice. Our study suggests a possible viral etiology for AMD as a result of latent/persistent ocular CMV infection.
Irrigation of biomass plantations may globally increase water stress more than climate change
Authors: Stenzel Fabian , Greve Peter , Lucht Wolfgang , Tramberend Sylvia , Wada Yoshihide , Gerten Dieter
Published: September 2020

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is considered an important negative emissions (NEs) technology, but might involve substantial irrigation on biomass plantations. Potential water stress resulting from the additional withdrawals for irrigation warrants evaluation against the avoided climate change impact. Here we quantitatively assess potential side effects of BECCS with respect to water stress by disentangling the associated drivers (irrigated bioenergy, climate, land use patterns) using comprehensive global model simulations. By considering a widespread use of irrigated BECCS to limit global warming to 1.5°C, our results suggest that both the global area and population living under severe water stress will double by the end of the 21st century, which could even exceed the impact of climate change avoided by the NEs (3°C warming). Such side-effects of achieving substantial NEs would come as an extra pressure in an already water-stressed world and could only be avoided if sustainable water management would be implemented
globally.
Evolution of codon usage in 2019-new coronavirus causing human infection
Authors: Yao Xiaoting , Xie Yanfei , Guan Xiong , Ni Silu , Zuo Chenxiang , Rahman Siddiq Ur , Chen Dekun , Ma Wentao
Published: September 2020

Background: The recent emergence of viral pneumonia was caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2), which has spread to many countries and threated the global public health.Results: In the current study, we provide a primary evolutionary analysis based on the codon usage patterns of SARS-Cov-2 genome sequences. We employed bioinformatics technologies to measure the nucleotide compositions, the relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), the codon adaptation index (CAI), and other indices. Our results reflected that there were some similarities of codon usage bias between SARS-Cov-2 and its natural reservoirs, suggesting that SARS-Cov-2 was tended to evolve its codon usage which was comparable to that of its hosts. Additionally, various degree of adaptation to the SARS-Cov-2 host and vector were estimated, even different genes have different codon adaptation to their reservoirs. We further suggested that SARS-Cov-2 isolates were evolving at a rapid substitution rate under their translation selection pressure of their hosts.Conclusions: The findings of the present study will provide help for the understanding of the elements leading to viral evolution and adaptation to reservoirs.
Sensory Processing in Adult ADHD – A Systematic Review
Authors: Schulze Marcel , Lux Silke , Philipsen Alexandra
Published: September 2020

BackgroundThe way we perceive our environment is driven by our sensory nervous system and our attentional resources. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. While cognitive and behavior dysfunctions have broadly been investigated, sensory processing has received less scientific attention. It has been shown, that children with ADHD show processing and modulatory deficits in multiple sensory domains, but very few studies examine to what extent these deficits persist in adult life. We conducted a systematic review of studies investigating sensory processing in adult ADHD.Main BodyUsing the keywords ‘ADHD’ and ‘sensory processing’, Web of Science and MEDLINE database were systematically searched for all articles published up to March 2020. 53 studies were included. Mostly, visual and auditory processing are studied, few investigated multisensory audiovisual and somatosensory processing. In summary, adult ADHD is marked by increased sensory gaining and deficient sensory inhibition. These disturbed gaining and inhibitory mechanisms were most prominent in the auditory modality but also visual modality impairment in terms of stimuli modulation were evident. Electrophysiological studies show alterations across all event-related potential (ERP) components associated with distractibility at early components (bottom-up) and inhibition and stimulus discrimination at later components (top-down). Brain imaging studies on sensory processing in ADHD are scarce, few pointing to higher resting state functional connectivity in visual areas and visual crossmodal activation for auditory stimuli. ConclusionSensory processing deficits extent from childhood to adult ADHD. These deficits are mainly driven by higher distractibility by irrelevant stimuli and modulatory impairment for relevant stimuli. In future studies, the relation of impaired bottom-up and top-down attentional mechanisms should be investigated and how they contribute to sensory processing deficits and clinical symptomatology in adult ADHD. This could help to gather more information about the underling processing deficits, so that specific adjusted training can be provided, that helps to overcome deficits in daily life functioning in e.g., not producing appropriate adaptive responses in social settings.Trial registrationN/A
Efficient production of human growth factors in Escherichia coli by fusing with small protein 6HFh8
Authors: Kim Young Su , Lee Hye-Jeong , Han Man-Ho , Yoon Nam-Kyung , Kim Yeu-Chun , Ahn Jung-Oh
Published: September 2020

Background: Growth factors (GFs) are signaling proteins that affect cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, and differentiation. GFs are used as cosmeceuticals, exerting anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, and whitening effects, and also as pharmaceuticals to treat wounds, growth failure, and oral mucositis. However, in mammalian and bacterial cells, low productivity and expression in inclusion bodies, respectively, of GFs does not satisfy the consumer demand. Here, we aimed to develop a bacterial expression system that produces high yields of soluble GFs that can be purified in their native forms.Results: We present Fh8, an 8-kDa peptide from Fasciola hepatica with an N-terminal hexa-histidine (6HFh8), as a fusion partner for enhanced human GF production in recombinant Escherichia coli. The fusion partner harboring a tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease cleavage site was fused to the N-terminus of 10 human GFs: acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF, respectively), epidermal growth factor (EGF), human growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165), keratinocyte growth factor 1 (KGF-1), placental growth factor (PGF), stem cell factor (SCF), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1). The fusion proteins were expressed in E. coli under the control of T7 promoter at three temperatures (25 °C, 30 °C, and 37 °C). All individual fusion proteins, except for SCF and TIMP-1, were successfully overexpressed in cytoplasmic soluble form at more than one temperature. Further, the original aFGF, IGF-1, EGF, and VEGF165 proteins were cleaved from the fusion partner by TEV protease. Five-liter fed-batch fermentation approaches for the 6HFh8-aFGF (lacking disulfide bonds) and 6HFh8-VEGF165 (a cysteine-rich protein) were devised to obtain the target protein on a g/l scale. The two GFs were successfully highly purified (>99% purity). Furthermore, they exerted similar cell proliferative effects as those of their commercial equivalents.Conclusions: We demonstrated that 6HFh8-GF fusion proteins could be overexpressed on a g/l scale in the cytoplasm of E. coli, with the GFs subsequently highly purified and maintaining their biological activity. Hence, the small protein 6HFh8 can be used for efficient mass-production of various GFs.
Context-dependent cross-modal interaction in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats
Authors: Zheng Mengyao , Xu Jinghong , Keniston Les , Wu Jing , Chang Song , Yu Liping
Published: September 2020

Cross-modal interaction (CMI) could significantly influence the perceptional or decision-making process in many circumstances. However, it remains poorly understood what integrative strategies are employed by the brain to deal with different task contexts. To explore it, we examined neural activities of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of rats performing cue-guided two-alternative forced-choice tasks. In a task requiring rats to discriminate stimuli based on auditory cue, the simultaneous presentation of an uninformative visual cue substantially strengthened mPFC neurons' capability of auditory discrimination mainly through enhancing the response to the preferred cue. Doing this also increased the number of neurons revealing a cue preference. If the task was changed slightly and a visual cue, like the auditory, denoted a specific behavioral direction, mPFC neurons frequently showed a different CMI pattern with an effect of cross-modal enhancement best evoked in information-congruent multisensory trials. In a choice free task, however, the majority of neurons failed to show a cross-modal enhancement effect and cue preference. These results indicate that CMI at the neuronal level is context-dependent in a way that differs from what has been shown in previous studies.
Risk Factors for Lassa Fever Infection Among Survivours at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Authors: Ilesanmi Olayinka Stephen , Owoeye-Lawal Oluwatosin Temitope , Aro Adewale Johnson , Afolabi Aanuoluwapo Adeyimika , Kareem Adesola Olawumi , Abejegah Chukwuyem , Ayodeji Oladele Oluwafemi
Published: September 2020

BackgroundThere exists paucity of information regarding successfully managed Lassa Fever (LF) patients. This study is aimed at determining the perceived risk factors for LF infection among patients who had been managed and on follow up at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State. MethodsA cross sectional study of 101 LF survivors who had been managed and attending follow up clinic at Federal Medical Centre, Owo was done. Data were collected using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Respondents were assessed for symptoms and factors that may have predisposed them to LF, and data analyzed with SPSS version 23. Those who had more than three identifiable risks were categorised as high risk. Descriptive statistics was done, and association between socio-demographic characteristics and high risk were explored using chi square test. ResultsThe median age of respondents was 33 years (range 8-85 years), 61.4% were males, 92.1% have heard of LF prior to being diagnosed, 55.9% heard through the mass media. The perceived cause of Lassa fever infection among respondents included consumption of food contaminated by rats’ feces among 57(56.4%) persons, while 16 (15.8) attributed their infection to contact with LF-infected persons. Among respondents with primary education and below, 5 (29.4%) had high risk of Lassa fever infection compared to 7 (8.3%) with secondary education and above (p=0.014). ConclusionMass media and other sources of information should be well harnessed in the communication of risks and preventive practices for LF. Health education should be intensified both in hospitals and schools to capture both young and old in LF prevention activities.
Asphericity of Tumor FDG Uptake in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Reproducibility and Implications for Harmonization in Multicenter Studies
Authors: Rogasch Julian MM , Furth Christian , Bluemel Stephanie , Radojewski Piotr , Amthauer Holger , Hofheinz Frank
Published: September 2020

BackgroundAsphericity (ASP) of the primary tumor’s metabolic tumor volume (MTV) in FDG-PET/CT is independently predictive for survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, comparability between PET systems may be limited. Therefore, reproducibility of ASP was evaluated at varying image reconstruction and acquisition times to assess feasibility of ASP assessment in multicenter studies.MethodsRetrospective study of 50 patients with NSCLC (female, 20; median age, 69 years) undergoing pretherapeutic FDG-PET/CT (median, 3.7 MBq/kg; 180 s/bed position). Reconstruction used OSEM with TOF4/16 (iterations, 4; subsets, 16; in-plane filter, 2.0, 6.4 or 9.5 mm), TOF4/8 (4 it; 8 ss; filter, 2.0/6.0/9.5 mm), PSF+TOF2/17 (2 it; 17 ss; filter, 2.0/7.0/10.0 mm) or Bayesian penalized likelihood (Q.Clear; beta, 600/1750/4000). Resulting reconstructed spatial resolution (FWHM) was determined from hot sphere inserts of a NEMA IEC phantom. Data with approx. 5 mm FWHM were retrospectively smoothed to achieve 7 mm FWHM. List mode data were rebinned for acquisition times of 120/90/60s. Threshold-based delineation of primary tumor MTV was followed by evaluation of relative ASP/SUVmax/MTV differences between datasets and resulting proportions of discordantly classified cases.ResultsReconstructed resolution for narrow/medium/wide in-plane filter (or low/medium/high beta) was approx. 5/7/9 mm FWHM. Comparing different pairs of reconstructed resolution between TOF4/8, PSF+TOF2/17, Q.Clear and the reference algorithm TOF4/16, ASP differences were lowest at FWHM of 7 vs. 7 mm. Proportions of discordant cases (ASP >19.5% vs. ≤19.5%) were also lowest at 7 mm (TOF4/8, 2%; PSF+TOF2/17, 4%; Q.Clear, 10%). Smoothing of 5 mm data to 7 mm FWHM significantly reduced discordant cases (TOF4/8, 38% reduced to 2%; PSF+TOF2/17, 12% to 4%; Q.Clear, 10% to 6%) resulting in proportions comparable to original 7 mm data. Shorter acquisition time only increased proportions of discordant cases at <90s. ConclusionsASP differences were mainly determined by reconstructed spatial resolution, and multicenter studies should aim at comparable FWHM (e.g., 7 mm; determined by in-plane filter width). This reduces discordant cases (high vs. low ASP) to an acceptable proportion for TOF and PSF+TOF of <5% (Q.Clear: 10%). Data with better resolution (i.e. lower FWHM) could be retrospectively smoothed to the desired FWHM resulting in a comparable number of discordant cases.
Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Versus Antegrade Nailing for 3- and 4-Part Proximal Humeral Fractures in Elderly Patients.
Authors: AMRI Khalil , AYARI Rabie , TLEMSANI Karim LATRECH , ABDENNADHER Achraf , SALAH Mohamed BEN , DHAHRI Rim , CHOURABI Chadia , NOUISRI Lotfi
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Proximal humerus fractures are prevalent and widespread, accounting for 5% of all fractures, mainly in the elderly osteoporotic patients following a low-level trauma. Three-and four-part fractures represent 13 to 16% of these fractures and are generally associated with a worse prognosis. Depending on the fracture type and the patient status, several therapeutic options would be available ranging from osteosynthesis to arthroplasty. The aim of our study was to compare the functional and radiological results, as well as the complications of reverse shoulder arthroplasty and anterograde nailing when managing these fractures. Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study was conducted within the orthopedic surgery department of the Military Hospital of Instruction of Tunis, over a period of 42 months, from January 2016 to June 2019 with an average follow-up of 18 months. We included 31 cases of complex fractures of the proximal humerus in elderly patients, aged over 65 years, 16 of whom were treated by reverse total arthroplasty and 15 by antegrade nailing. Results: Our patient pool included 8 men and 23 women with a mean age of 73 years, ranging from 65 to 85. A low-energy fall was the main cause of the fractures with the dominant side being affected in 55% of cases. Four-part fractures were predominant representing 68% of the fractures. Constant and DASH scores at the last follow-up were at 68 and 24 respectively. Most patients were satisfied with the outcome of their surgeries, with an overall satisfaction rate of 87%. The complications rate was in accordance with the literature. Functional results in the group treated with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty were better with a lower complications rate. Conclusion: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has become an interesting surgical alternative, as the functional and anatomical results in our study were promising, while elucidating an improved quality of life for our patients. These findings have encouraged us to continue using this technique as a first-line choice for complex fractures of the proximal humerus in the elderly
Comparison of the Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Mental Fatigue, Quality of Life and Aggression in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Shirvani Sheida , davoudi mohammadreza , Shirvani Masoud , Koleini Peiman , Panah Safora Hojat , shoshtari Fatemeh , Omidi Abdollah
Published: September 2020

Background: The rate of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) due to the accidents is high around the world. Patients with mild TBIs may suffer from some psychological disorders, including aggression, and mental fatigue, and thus their quality of life decreased. Among different treatments for TBI, two treatments, namely transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have shown to be effective. So, this study aimed to compare the effects of these two treatments on mental fatigue, aggression and quality of life in mTBI patients.Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 2000 TBI patients referred to emergency and neurosurgery departments of Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kashan, Iran, in 2017. They were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the mental fatigue scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life- BREF (short version), and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaires. Then, the data were analyzed using a Mixed Repeated Measures ANOVAs, and the Levene and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests by SPSS-23 software.Results: Data were collected from 48 patients with mTBI. The mean age of patients in the three groups of MBSR, tDCS and control were 69.38 + 6.11 (25% male), 25.40 + 12.11 (25% male) and 69.37 + 0.2 (18.8% male), respectively. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of mental fatigue, quality of life and aggression (P <0.05). Also, the results showed that there was a significant difference between the main effect of time and the interaction between time and group (P <0.001).Conclusions: Both MBSR and tDCS methods are effective in reducing the mental fatigue and aggression and increasing quality of life of mTBI patients; MBSR treatment, as indicated in the present study, can be more effective than tDCS in patients with mTBI.Trial registration: Thailand Registry of Clinical Trials, TCTR20180827003 Registered on August 24, 2018.
Enlightening the Taxonomy Darkness of Human Gut Microbiomes With Cultured Biobank
Authors: Liu Chang , Du Meng-Xuan , Abuduaini Rexiding , Yu Hai-Ying , Li Dan-Hua , Wang Yu-Jing , Zhou Nan , Jiang Min-Zhi , Niu Peng-Xia , Han Shan-Shan , Chen Hong-He , Shi Wen-Yu , Wu Linhuan , Xin Yu-Hua , Ma Juncai , Zhou Yuguang , Jiang Cheng-Ying , Liu Hong-Wei , Liu Shuang-Jiang
Published: September 2020

Background The cultivated gut microbial resource plays essential role in gut microbiome studies such as gut microbial function and their interactions with host. Though several major studies had been performed to understand the cultured human gut microbiota, up to 70% of the Unified Human Gastrointestinal Genome species remain uncultivated and their taxonomy is not clear. Large-scale gut microbial isolation and identification and their access to pubic are imperative for gut microbial studies and for understanding of the human gut microbial functions.Results Here, we report the construction of an human Gut Microbial Biobank (hGMB) (homepage: hgmb.nmdc.cn) by large-scale cultivation of 10,558 isolates from 239 feces of healthy Chinese volunteers, and deposited 1,170 strains representing 404 different species in International Depository Authority for long-term preservation and public access worldwidely. We discovered and denominated 107 new species, and proposed 28 new genera and 3 new families. The new species and their newly sequenced genomes uncovered 16 “most-wanted” or “medium priority” taxa proposed by the Human Microbiome Project and 42 previously-uncultured MAGs in IGGdb, respectively. The hGMB represented over 80% of the common and dominant human gut microbial genera or species of global human gut 16S rRNA gene amplicon data (n=11,647), and covered 70% of the known genes (KEGG Orthologys) and 10% of the functionally-unknown genes in the global human gut gene catalogs. Conclusions A publically accessible human Gut Microbial Biobank (hGMB) that contains 1,170 strains and represents 404 human gut microbial speces is estabolished. The hGMB expands the currently known, taxonomically-characterized gut microbial resources and genomic repository by adding 107 new species and 115 new genomes of human gut microbes. Based on the newly discovered species in this study, 28 new genera and 3 new families of human gut microbes were identified and proposed.
Studies on washability characteristics of low-volatile Indian coking coal by differential crushing
Authors: Chandra Sugali Sekhar
Published: September 2020

The effect of differential crushing on liberation characteristics has been studied for a low volatile coking coal of Indian origin through washability studies. Two parameters, namely “Index of Washability” (IW) and “Near Gravity Material Index” (NGMI), are used to describe the ease of washability. The ROM Coal is crushed to four different top sizes namely, 75 mm, 25 mm, 13 mm and 6 mm.On the basis of calculated IW it is observed that relative ease of washabiltiy increases with decrease in top size. From calculated IW values it may be said that this coal can be economically beneficiated using gravity process after crushing to -6 mm size. From the calculated NGMI values, the critical specific gravities have been estimated and the values for crushing to -75 mm,-25 mm,-13 mm and − 6 mm are 1.65, 1.68, 1.53 and 1.58 respectively. These critical specific gravity values suggest the separation at this specific gravity range is most difficult task using gravity methods. From NGMI analysis, it may be said that the NGMI values for coals crushed to -25 mm & -6 mm are identical (≈ 0.18) at 17% clean coal ash content. This suggests that with similar degree of difficulty, clean coal of 17% ash can be produced from these two different crushing sizes. In order to increase the yield for the clean coal of 17% ash, the decision on blending these two size coals may need to be taken.