bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When is it Worth Starting a Risky and Uncomfortable Treatment in Critically Ill Patients? Gender, Education and Professional Involvement in Critical Care Impact on the Opinion
Authors: Zink Michael , Horvath Angela , Stadlbauer Vanessa
Published: December 2020

Background: Health care professionals have to judge the appropriateness of treatment in critical care on a daily basis. While there is general consensus that critical care interventions should not be performed when they are futile, it is unclear in quantitative terms, which chances of survival are considered necessary and which risk for serious disabilities is acceptable for different stakeholder in the process of intensive care treatment. Methods: We performed an anonymous online survey in 1052 people. We considered age, gender, nationality, education, involvement in health care, critical care medicine and treatment decisions as well as personal experience with critical illness as potential influencing variables. On a scale from 0-100%, participants were asked to give their opinion on the necessary survival changes and the acceptable risk for serious disabilities in order to start a high-risk or unpleasant therapy for themselves, relatives and for their patients, if the respondents were health care professionals who are involved in treatment decisions. Results: For all questions, a maximum of individual variations was observed with answers ranging from 0-100% for necessary survival chances and acceptable risk of disability. A three-peak pattern with different distributions of the peaks was observed for all answers. More respondents would choose a lower necessary chance of survival (0-33% survival) when deciding for patients compared to themselves or relatives to start a risky and uncomfortable treatment. On the other hand, the majority of respondents would accept only a low risk of severe disability for both themselves and their patients. Gender, education, being a health care professional, being involved in treatment decisions and religiosity influence these opinions. Male respondents and those with university education accept a lower survival chance for themselves, relatives and patients.Conclusion: Our study shows that people have very diverging views on the necessary chances of survival as well as on the acceptable risks for starting a risky and uncomfortable treatment, close relatives and patients. No general cut-off can be identified for the necessary survival chances or acceptable risk to help to quantify “futility”. Individual communication between health care professionals, patients and relatives in each case seems necessary.
Attitude and knowledge about Organ Donation among Nurses in Croatia, A Single-center Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Nemcic Ana , Pacaric Stana , Turk Tajana , Farcic Nikolina , Milostic- Andrea , Kralik Kristina , Miksic Stefica , Gvozdanovic Zvjezdana
Published: December 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in opinion and knowledge about organ donation of nurses working in the surgical and non-surgical department. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 223 nurses working in surgical, and non-surgical departments. An anonymous survey questionnaire was used as a research instrument, which consisted of questions on socio-demographic data, and questions on opinions and knowledge about organ donation. Results: Most participants would donate their organs after death (71.2%). The most common reason for not donating organs was insufficient information (40%), the importance of knowing that their body will be whole at the time of burial (21.8%), and the age of the respondents (20%). Participants would donate organs after the death of a close family member (52.3%). 29 (13.2%) participants have a donor card, significantly more of them from surgical departments (P = 0.04). Participants who would not donate their organs were significantly more likely to say that they would not or did not know whether they would receive an organ from a person of another religion (P < 0,001). Participants from surgical departments (P = 0.04) and Masters of Nursing have significantly more correct answers. (P = 0,009). Conclusion: Most participants would donate their organs after death, with no statistical significance regarding the position and level of education. Knowledge about organ donation was average, significantly higher among Masters of Nursing and among participants from surgical departments.
Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived Exosomes Facilitate Spinal Cord Functional Recovery Through the miR-199a-3p/145-5p-mediated NGF/TrkA Signaling Pathway in Rats
Authors: Wang Yang , Lai Xunwei , Wu Depeng , Liu Bin , Wang Nanxiang , Rong Li-Min
Published: December 2020

Background Although exosomes, as byproducts of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs), have been demonstrated to be an effective therapy for traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), their mechanism of action remains unclear. Methods We designed and performed this study to determine whether exosomes attenuate the lesion size of SCI by ameliorating neuronal injury induced by a secondary inflammatory storm and promoting neurite outgrowth. We determined the absolute levels of all exosomal miRNAs and investigated the potential mechanisms of action of miR-199a-3p/145-5p in inducing neurite outgrowth in vivo and in vitro. Results miR-199a-3p/145-5p, which are relatively highly expressed miRNAs in exosomes, promoted PC12 cell differentiation suppressed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro through modulation of the NGF/TrkA pathway. We also demonstrated that Cblb was a direct target of miR-199a-3p and that Cbl was a direct target of miR-145-5p. Cblb and Cbl gene knockdown resulted in significantly decreased TrkA ubiquitination levels, subsequently activating the NGF/TrkA downstream pathways Akt and Erk. Conversely, overexpression of Cblb and Cbl was associated with significantly increased TrkA ubiquitination level, subsequently inactivating the NGF/TrkA downstream pathways Akt and Erk. Western blot and coimmunoprecipitation assays confirmed the direct interaction between TrkA and Cblb and TrkA and Cbl. In an in vivo experiment, exosomal miR-199a-3p/145-5p was found to upregulate TrkA expression at the lesion site and also promote locomotor function in SCI rats. Conclusions In summary, our study showed that exosomes transferring miR-199a-3p/145-5p into neurons in SCI rats affected TrkA ubiquitination and promoted the NGF/TrkA signaling pathway, indicating that hUC-MSC-derived exosomes may be a promising treatment strategy for SCI.
Antitumor Effect of IL-12 Gene-modified Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined With Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction in an in Vivo Glioma Nude Mouse Model
Authors: Wu Jianjun , Xie Shoupin , Li Hailong , Zhang Yanxia , Yue Jia , Yan Chunlu , Liu Kai , Liu Yongqi , Xu Rui , Zheng Guisen
Published: December 2020

Background: Glioma is a complex cancer with a high morbidity and high mortality. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have shown promise as an excellent cell/drug delivery vehicle for gene-targeted therapy; however, maintaining genetic stability and biological activity remains difficult. Furthermore, whether BMSCs support or inhibit tumor growth remains debated. This study investigated whether a traditional chinese medicine fomular, Fuzheng Yiliu decoction (FYD) had a synergistic antitumor effect with IL-12 gene-modified BMSCs in glioma-bearing nude mice.Methods: The lentivirus-mediated IL-12 gene was transfected into primarily cultured BMSCs. A total of 72 BALB/c nude mice were used to establish xenograft models with glioma U251 cells and were divided into 6 groups (n = 12) including negative control group, nude mouse model group, lentiviral empty vector transfection into BMSC group, IL-12 gene lentivirus transfection into BMSC group and FYD treatment of IL-12 lentivirus-transfected BMSC group. After treatment for 14 days, all mice were sacrificed to collect tumor tissue and serum for more detection, such as distribution of BMSCs, cell apoptosis in xenograft tumors, serum IL-12 and INF-γ levels, mouse weight and tumor volume were measured.Results: There were significantly more apoptotic cells in tumor tissue in IL-12 gene transfected group, FYD treatment group and FYD combining with IL-12 gene transfected group than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The FYD+IL-12+BMSC group showed significantly higher Bax and lower Bcl-2 expression (P < 0.05), and serum IL-12 and INF-γ levels (P < 0.05) were higher than that in all other groups. After the intervention, this group also showed a strong inhibitory effect against tumor growth (P < 0.05).Conclusions: This study suggested FYD treatment combined with IL-12 gene-modified BMSCs shows synergistic antitumor effect in glioma-bearing nude mice.
Pharmacological Inhibition of USP7 Supresses Growth and Metastasis of Melanoma Cells in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Xiang Minmin , Liang Long , Kuang Xinwei , Xie Zuozhong , Liu Jing , Zhao Shuang , Su Juan , Chen Xiang , Liu Hong
Published: December 2020

Background: Melanoma is a highly aggressive type of skin cancer. Due to the development of diverse resistance mechanisms and severe adverse side effects, significantly limits the efficiency of current therapeutic approaches. Identification of the new therapeutic targets involved in the pathogenesis will benefit to develop novel therapeutic strategies. The deubiquitinase USP7(ubiquitin-specific protease-7) is deregulated in serval cancer types, as a potential target for cancer treatment, but its role in melanoma is still unclear. Here, we investigated the role of USP7 and its inhibitor P22077 in melanoma treatment.Methods: To explore the role of USP7 and the anti-tuomr effect of P22077 in melanma progression and metastasis, a series of cell biological, molecular and biochemical approaches were used for in vitro and in vivo investigations.These methods included RT-qPCR, Western blot assay, cell transfection, CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, scratch test, Transwell assay, mouse xenograft,TUNEL staining.Results:The USP7 inhibitor P22077 suppressed the growth of melanoma in vitro and in vivo. additionally, P22077 induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via ROS(reactive oxygen species) accumulation-induced DNA damage. Furthermore, inhibition of USP7 also prevented migration and invasion of melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo by decrease the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. Conclusion: Our data indicated that USP7 acts as an oncogene involved in melanoma cell proliferation and metastasis and may provide a novel therapeutic target for melanoma treatment.
KRT17 Serves as an Oncogene and a Predictor of Poor Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: chen yuyan , Chen Jing , Tian Zu-Cheng , Zhou Dan-Hua , Ji Ran , Ge Si-Jia , Liu Zhao-Xiu , Huang Wei
Published: December 2020

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cancer-associated cause of death globally. It is thus vital that novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers associated with early-stage HCC be identified. While keratin 17 (KRT17) has previously been reported to be associated with certain cancer types, its relationship with HCC remains to be defined. Methods：The expression of KRT17 in the TCGA LIHC database and in 44 pairs of HCC patient samples was assessed via qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. The prognostic relevance of KRT17 was assessed using Kaplan-Meir curves, while important cancer- and KRT17-related biological processes were defined through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The functional link between KRT17 expression and tumor cell proliferation/survival was assessed through flow cytometry, colony formation assay, CCK-8 assay, and subcutaneous tumor model approaches. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and analyses of immune cell infiltration were also employed to define key signaling pathways associated with KRT17 expression in HCC. Results：HCC tissue samples exhibited increased KRT17 mRNA and protein expression that was predictive of poorer patient survival (P<0.001). GSEA and functional experiments revealed that KRT17 functioned as a regulator of HCC tumor cell survival, proliferation, and cell cycle progression in vitro and in vivo. PPI network analyses also revealed that KRT17 expression was linked to immune cell infiltration and activation in patients with HCC. Conclusion: We found that increased KRT17 levels were associated with poorer survival, more aggressive disease, and altered immune cell infiltration in patients suffering from HCC. As such, KRT17 may function as an oncogene and a prognostic biomarker in this cancer type.
Does the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System Improve Patients’ Outcome Following Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer? A Multicentre, Retrospective Analysis with Propensity Score Matching.
Authors: Kazama Keisuke , Numata Masakatsu , Aoyama Toru , Atsumi Yosuke , Tamagawa Hiroshi , Godai Teni , Saeki Hiroyuki , Saigusa Yusuke , Shiozawa Manabu , Yukawa Norio , Masuda Munetaka , Rino Yasushi
Published: December 2020

Background: This study aimed to investigate the short-term and oncological impact of the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) by the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery on the operator performing laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.Methods: This retrospective cohort study was based on medical records from a multicentre database. A total of 417 patients diagnosed with stage II/III colon and rectosigmoid cancer treated with curative resection were divided into two groups according to whether they were operated on by qualified surgeons (Q group, n=352) or not (NQ group, n=65). Through strict propensity score matching, 98 cases (49 in each group) were assessed.Results: Operative time was significantly longer in the NQ group than in the Q group (199 vs. 168 min, p=0.029). The amount of blood loss, post-operative complications, and duration of hospitalisation were similar between both groups. No mortality was observed. One conversion case was seen in the NQ group. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rate was 86.6% in the NQ group and 88.2% in the Q group, which was not statistically significant (log-rank p=0.966).Conclusion: Direct operation by ESSQS-qualified surgeons contributed to a shortened operation time. Under an organised educational environment, almost equivalent safety and oncological outcomes are expected regardless of the surgeon’s qualifications.
Artemisia Annua Ethanolic Extract Mitigated Small Intestinal Lesions in Hamsters Infected With Giardia Lamblia Possibly Through Modulation of Mucosal Immunity
Authors: Abd-Elhamid Tarek Hamdy , Abdel-Rahman Iman A. M. , Mahmoud Amany Refaat , Fouad Samer S. , Abdella Osama H. , El-Kady Asmaa M.
Published: December 2020

Giardiasis is a worldwide health problem caused by Giardia lamblia. Unfortunately, G. lamblia developed drug resistance against commonly used therapeutic agents. Artemisia annua (A. annua) derivatives showed therapeutic efficacy against a number of parasitic infestations. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effect of A. annua on giardiasis-induced small intestinal changes in hamsters. Thirty-two hamsters were divided into 4 groups. GI: Uninfected, GII: infected with G. lamblia cysts and untreated, GIII: infected and treated with metronidazole, served as a positive control, and GIV: infected and treated with the A. annua ethanolic extract. The efficacy of the extract was assessed by trophozoite counts, serum cytokine levels and histopathology. Infection of gerbils with G. lamblia cysts significantly decreased serum nitrite, while increased serum IL-6, INF-γ and TNF-α. Additionally, G. lamblia increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) while reduced villus heights, goblet cell (GC) number and muscularis externa (ME) thickness. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that G. lamblia increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and caspase-3 expression. In contrast, treating infected animals with A. annua significantly reduced the mean trophozoite counts, serum nitrite, IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α levels and IEL numbers while increased villus heights, GC numbers and ME thickness. Moreover, A. annua reversed giardiasis-induced changes in iNOS and caspase-3 expression. In conclusion; we showed clearly that A. annua extract reduced the severity and morphological changes of giardiasis possibly through modulation of nitric oxide production and mucosal immunity. These effects were comparable to effects of metronidazole. Therefore, we assume that A. annua extracts could be used as adjuvant therapy during treatment of giardiasis.
Effects of Empagliflozin in Different Phases of Diabetes Mellitus-related Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Oka Satoshi , Kai Takahiko , Hoshino Katsuomi , Watanabe Kazunori , Nakamura Jun , Abe Makoto , Watanabe Akinori
Published: December 2020

Background: In diabetes mellitus-related cardiomyopathy (DMCMP), hyperglycemia causes endothelial dysfunction, fibrosis, and myocardial injury, which result in left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Treatment with sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) reduces the risk of exacerbation of heart failure (HF). The beneficial effects of SGLT2i on HF depend not only on indirect actions such as osmotic diuresis but also direct actions on the myocardium leading to improvements in LV function. However, it remains unclear whether SGLT2i treatment is equally effective in any phase of DMCMP. The aim of this observational study was to compare the efficacy of SGLT2i treatment on LV dysfunction between early and advanced DMCMP.Methods: Thirty-five symptomatic non-ischemic HF patients with LV ejection fraction (EF) greater than 40% and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with administration of empagliflozin (10 mg/day) were enrolled. According to the myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV), a reliable marker of cardiac fibrosis quantified by cardiac magnetic resonance, the patients were divided into the early DMCMP group (n = 16, ECV ≤ 30%) and advanced DMCMP group (n = 19, ECV > 30%) and followed-up prospectively. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and after 12 months. LV systolic function assessed as LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and diastolic function assessed as the ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e’) were compared.Results: ECV was strongly correlated with T2DM duration (r2 = 0.65, p < 0.001). At baseline, both groups had similar backgrounds (LVGLS: 7.9 ± 2.4% vs. 6.7 ± 3.0%, p = 0.207, and E/e’: 13.2 ± 6.1 cm/s vs. 12.6 ± 3.8 cm/s, p = 0.694). After 12 months, the early DMCMP group showed greater improvement in LVGLS (ΔLVGLS: 4.6 ± 1.5% vs. 1.6 ± 3.3%, p = 0.003) and E/e’ (ΔE/e’: -3.4 ± 5.5 cm/s vs. -0.1 ± 3.5 cm/s, p = 0.043) than in the advanced DMCMP group.Conclusion: The positive effects of empagliflozin on LV dysfunction were more remarkable in DMCMP with mild cardiac fibrosis than with advanced fibrosis. Early intervention of SGLT2i for DMCMP is preferable.
Effect of Wearing a Helmet on the Occurrence of Head Injuries in Motorcycle Riders in Benin: A Cohort-nested Case-control Study
Authors: SANTOS Bella Adodo HOUNKPE DOS , AHANHANZO Yolaine GLELE , KPOZEHOUEN Alphonse , DADDAH Donatien , LAGARDE EMMANUEL , COPPIETERS Yves
Published: December 2020

Background: In Benin, motorcycles are the main means of transport for road users and are involved in more than half of accidents. This study aims to determine the effect of wearing a helmet on reducing head injuries in road accidents in Benin.Methods: This cohort-nested case-control study took place in 2020 and focused on road trauma victims. The sample consisted of 242 cases for 484 controls. A logistic regression model was performed.Results: Fewer of the subjects with a head injury were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident 69.8% (95% CI = 63.6 - 75.6) compared to those without a head injury 90.3% (95% CI = 87.3 - 92.8). Adjusting for the other variables, subjects not wearing helmets were at greater risk of head injuries (OR = 3.8, 95% CI (2.5 - 5.7)); the head injury rating was 2.0 (95% CI = 1.2 - 3.2) times higher in subjects who were fatigued during the accident than among those who were not and 2.1 (95% CI = 1.2 - 3.3) times higher than in subjects with no medical history.Conclusion: Failure to wear a helmet exposes motorcyclists to the risk of head injuries during accidents. It is important to increase awareness and better target such initiatives at the subjects most at risk.
New Intestinal Schistosomiasis Transmission Foci and Soil-transmitted Helminths Infection After Five Years of Preventive Chemotherapy and Associated Risk Factors Among School-aged Children in Two Districts in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Zerdo Zerihun , Bastiaens Hilde , Anthierens Sibyl , Massebo Fekadu , Masne Matewos , Biresaw Gelila , Shewangizaw Misgun , Tunje Abayneh , Chisha Yilma , Yohannes Tsegaye , geertruyden Jean-Pierre Van
Published: December 2020

Background: Preventive chemotherapy (PC), is the main elimination strategy against Soil-Tansmitted Helmenthiasis (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH) recommended by the world health organization (WHO), should be strengthened through identification of the remaining SCH transmission foci and evaluating its impact to get lesson. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of STH/SCH infections, intensity of infections and associated factors among School Age Children (SAC) in two districts, previously not known to be endemic for SCH in Southern Ethiopia, October to December 2019.Methods: Structured interview questionnaire was used to collect data, the record of treatment coverage against STH was reviewed and stool samples collected from 2114 children were diagnosed using Kato-Katz technique. Multilevel logistic regressions were used to assess the association of infections with potential predictors. Results: The reviewed treatment coverage ranges from 92% to 106% in both districts. The prevalence of STH infection was 33.3% with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 31.3% to 35.4%. The intensity of infections was light (93.8%, 99.2% & 92.5%), moderate (4.7%, 0.8% & 7.5%) and heavy (1.5%, 0% & 0%) for hookworm, whipworm and Roundworms respectively. STH infection was higher among male SAC with Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of 1.7; 95%CI: 1.4-2.1); occupation of the household head other than farmer or house wife (AOR=0.6; 95%CI: 0.4-0.9) and with higher wealth index (AOR=0.7; 95%CI: 0.5-0.9) as compared to the poorest one. The prevalence of S.mansoni in Dara Mallo district was 34.5% (95%CI: 31.1-38.1%). Light, moderate and heavy S.mansoni infections were 42.9%, 33.7% and 23.4% respectively. Children from mothers aged 50 or above years were significantly more likely infected by S.mansoni (AOR=5.9; 95%CI: 1.4-27.4) as compared to children from mothers (caretakers) of 34 or lower age.Conclusions: Though high PC coverage were reported, STH remained moderately endemic while S.mansoni became moderate endemic in Dara Mallo, requiring sub-district level mapping and deworming campaign initiations. Evidence based strategies which supplement the existing interventions focusing on the identified factors are important to realize the set targets.
Ivermectin Treatment Response in Two Rural Villages with a High Prevalence of Onchocerciasis and Epilepsy, Mahenge Tanzania
Authors: Bhwana Dan , Mmbando Bruno P , Dusabimana Alfred , Mhina Athanas , Challe Daniel P , Fodjo Joseph N Siewe , Makunde Williams H , Colebunders Robert
Published: December 2020

Background: Despite 20 years of ivermectin mass distribution in the Mahenge area, Tanzania, the prevalence of onchocerciasis and epilepsy has remained high in rural villages. We investigated the efficacy of ivermectin in reducing Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae and predictors for parasitic load following ivermectin treatment in persons with and without epilepsy in two rural villages.Methods: Between April and September 2019, 50 persons with epilepsy (PWE) and 160 randomly selected persons without epilepsy (PWOE) from Msogezi and Mdindo villages participated in a follow-up study. Skin snips were obtained pre- (baseline) and three months post-ivermectin treatment.Results: The overall prevalence of O. volvulus positive skin snips at baseline was 49% (103/210), with no significant difference between PWE (58.0%) and PWOE (46.3%); p=0.197. The overall median microfilarial density was significantly higher at baseline (0.0 mf/mg, IQR: 0.0-1.7) than three month post-ivermectin treatment (0.0 mf/mg, IQR: 0.0-0.0), p<0.001. Three months after ivermectin, the microfilarial density had decreased by ≥80% in 54 (81.8%, 95%CI: 72.3-91.4) of the 66 individuals with positive skin snips at baseline. High microfilarial density at baseline was the only significant predictor associated with higher microfilarial density in the post-ivermectin skin snips. Conclusion: Our study reports a satisfactory decrease in microfilarial density following ivermectin treatment in most individuals. This suggests that optimizing ivermectin coverage will address the ongoing onchocerciasis transmission in Mahenge.
The Clinical Value of Lipid Abnormalities in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Li Anyang , Wang Luhui , Jin Mengya , Shou Yueyao , Zheng Feiyun , Zhu Haiyan
Published: December 2020

Background: To describe the characteristic of plasma lipid prolife among cervical cancer and further evaluate the prognostic significance of lipid levels in cervical cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1,713 patients with cervical cancer in our hospital. Preoperative plasma lipid profile, including cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), of 1,713 cervical cancer patients were compared with 10,397 healthy women. Then, we evaluated the impact of lipids on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in cervical cancer using univariate and multivariate Cox model. Results: While plasma TC, TG and LDL were significantly higher, HDL was lower in patients with cervical cancer as compared with healthy women. TG was identified as independent predictors for RFS, and OS among patients with cervical cancer. Further stratified by age, patients with higher TG showed a significantly worse RFS and OS compared with those with lower TG among patients ≥50 years old, but not among <50 years old. Conclusion: Cervical cancer was associated with a disordered lipid profile. Hypertriglyceridemia was an independent poor prognostic indicator for cervical cancer, especially for elder patients. Strengthening lipid management may be beneficial for improving postoperative OS and RFS in patients with cervical cancer.
HDL Inhibited Atherosclerosis Induced by Radiation Injury
Authors: Xie Jin , Zhu Ke , Wang Qingya , Zhao Pei , Pan Lihua , Hui Jie
Published: December 2020

Background- HDL inhibits atherosclerosis development from radiation damage; however, the mechanism for this process has not been fully defined. Methods- This study used radiation patients and cultured mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) to investigate the process. Firstly, 158 patients from oncology department of Jingzhou hospital who have got radiation after neck cancers, the arterial function was monitored by B ultrasound, HDL and other blood lipid indexes were tested.Then, MAECs were isolated and cultured, MTT assay was used to test the HDL protective role on UVB radiation, along with this, western blotting was proceed to test some apotosis protein expression and possible molecular.Results- Firstly, those patients with high HDL levels were less likely to develop atherosclerosis, with statistical differences. We observed that MAECs treated with UVB was damaged significantly; HDL reversed the cell damage as dose-depended manner. At mean time, the apoptosis process was assessed and found that HDL inhibited the apoptosis caused by UVB. Western blotting results showed that HDL enhanced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt phosphorylation in MAECs.Conclusion- These results suggest that HDL protected UVB-mediated appotosis by activation of a mechanism involving PI3K/Akt signal pathway.
Genome-Wide Characterization, Evolution, Structure, and Expression Analysis of the F-box Genes in Caenorhabditis
Authors: Wang Ailan , Chen Wei , Tao Shiheng
Published: December 2020

Background: F-box proteins represent a diverse class of adaptor proteins of ubiquition proteasome system (UPS) that play critical roles in cell signaling pathway and immune response. Among closely related organisms of Caenorhabditis, tremendous divergence in F-box gene copy numbers was caused by large species-specific expansion and contraction. Although F-box gene number expansion plays an important role in shaping the genomic diversity of Caenorhabditis, the mechanisms responsible for the copy number variation of F-box genes and their functional diversification is very poorly understood. In this study, we performed a comprehensive evolution and underlying mechanism analysis of F-box genes in five Caenorhabditis species: C.brenneri, C.briggsae, C.elegans, C.japonica, C.remanei).Results: Herein, we identified and characterized 594, 192, 377, 39, 1426 F-box homologs in the genome of C.brenneri, C.briggsae, C.elegans, C.japonica, C.remanei respectively. Our work suggested that extensive species-specific tandem duplication followed by slightly gene loss was the main mechanism responsible for F-box gene number divergence in Caenorhabditis. After F-box gene duplication events occurred, several different mechanisms have contributed to gene structural divergence including exon/intron gain/loss, mutation, exonization/pseudoexonization, insertion, deletion, and particularly ubiquitous intron sequence elongation. Based on the analysis of high-throughput RNA sequencing data, we proposed that F-box gene function have diversified by both sub- and neofunctionalization through diverged stage-specific expression patterns in Caenorhabditis.Conclusions: Species-specific tandem duplications as well as trifling gene loss have contributed to the disequilibrium evolution pattern of F-box gene family in Caenorhabditis, which lead to complex structural variation as well as diversified functions affecting growth and development within and among Caenorhabditis. Taken together, our results provide an overview of F-box genes in Caenorhabditis genome and the basis for further functional studies.
Characterization of Cotton ARF Factors and the Role of GhARF2b in Fiber Development
Authors: Zhang Xiufang , Cao Junfeng , Huang Chaochen , Zheng Zishou , Liu Xia , Shangguan Xiaoxia , Wang Lingjian , Zhang Yugao , Chen Zhiwen
Published: December 2020

Background: Cotton fiber is a model system for studying plant cell development. At present, our understanding of cotton fiber development and the regulatory network is still primitive. Results: Here, we identify auxin response factor (ARF) genes in three cotton species: the tetraploid upland cotton G. hirsutum, which has 73 ARF genes, and its putative extent parental diploids G. arboreum and G. raimondii, which have 36 and 35 ARFs, respectively. Ka and Ks analyses revealed that in G. hirsutum ARF genes have undergone asymmetric evolution in the two subgenomes. The cotton ARFs can be classified into four phylogenetic clades and are actively expressed in young tissues. We demonstrate that GhARF2b, a homolog of the Arabidopsis AtARF2, was preferentially expressed in developing ovules and fibers. Overexpression of GhARF2b by a fiber specific promoter inhibited fiber cell elongation but promoted initiation and, conversely, its downregulation by RNAi of resulted in fewer but longer fiber. Conclusion: Our results uncover an important role of the ARF factor in modulating cotton fiber development at the early stage.
Outcomes after Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction with the Docking Plus Technique in 163 Athletes
Authors: Lubitz Marc , Donohue Benjamin , Molla Vadim , Kremchek Timothy
Published: December 2020

Background: This retrospective case series examined 163 athletes who underwent ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) from 2015-2018. All cases were by a single surgeon at a high volume center using the Docking Plus Technique. We previously reported outcomes in 324 athletes from 2005-2014 with 88% of patients reporting a Conway score of good or excellent. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine if patients undergoing UCLR with the docking plus technique are able to return to sport and to better characterize the athletes needing this procedure. Our hypothesis was that our cohort would largely be able to return to their previous level of play and be mostly college level pitchers. Methods: Patients who underwent UCLR at our institution from 2015-2018 were identified and surveyed. We were able to reach a total of 163 patients and they were asked for background demographic information and information about their athletic careers before and after UCLR. Results: Our results were largely similar to our previously study with 94.5% of athletes obtaining Conway scores of Good or Excellent. 95% of athletes were male, 91% played baseball, and 83% of baseball players were pitchers. 59% of athletes were in college at the time of their surgery. For 8 athletes, this was a revision procedure, 7 of the revisions were for pitchers. 5 of the 7 pitchers were able to get back to the same level or higher of competition. 98.8% of patients surveyed said they were “satisfied with the outcome of the surgery.” Conclusions: The Docking Plus Technique performed by a single surgeon at a private practice setting leads to reproducible return to play and patient satisfaction. The prototypical patient undergoing UCLR is a high level male baseball pitcher. UCL outcomes data would benefit from more prospective studies and the creation of a nationwide UCLR database to draw conclusions about technique, graft type, risk factors, and many more relevant variables.
Caste-specific gut symbionts contribute to the different adult longevity in the honeybee
Authors: Wang Hongfang , Xu Baohua
Published: December 2020

Background

Honeybees are important pollinators, and their health is important to agricultural production and ecosystem. Queen-bees contain same genome as worker-bees, but live longer and healthier than worker-bees; thus, queen and worker pairs are natural biological models for studying longevity. Concerns are increasing regarding the relationship between gut microbes and honeybee health. We compared the hindgut microflora of queen and worker (Apis mellifera carpatica) by sequencing the bacterial 16S DNA, then salvaging the caste-specific microbes using LEfSe analysis and predicting the microbial functions using Tax4Fun, hoping to find potential gut symbionts associated with longevity.
Results

The hindgut microflora of queens differed from those of worker. Queens had higher abundances of Commensalibacter, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium than workers. The dominant microflora in the worker hindguts were Gilliamella (29.37%), Lactobacillus (15.28%), Commensalibacter (13.65%), Snodgrassella (11.56%), Bifidobacterium (6.07%) and Frischella (3.51%). The dominant microflora in the queen hindguts were Commensalibacter (44.89%), Lactobacillus (38.42%), Bifidobacterium (6.74%), Gilliamella (2.44%) and Bombella (2.41%). Queen-specific microbes was Bombella genus, and worker-specific microbes included Snodgrassella alvi, Frischella perrara and Gilliamella apicola. Queen and worker hindgut microbes exhibited diverse functions in lipid metabolism, neurodegenerative diseases, endocrine system, nervous system and immune system; those functions were linked to honeybee fitness and longevity. The queen-specific symbiont, Bombella, was predicted to be involved in host endocrine and immune regulation, which may contribute to queens living longer and healthier than worker bees.
Conclusion

The supernal Acetobacteraceae (especially Commensalibacter and Bombella), Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the queen-hindgut help the queen bees live longer and healthier than the worker bees. This study may help determine the mechanisms of queen longevity and enable further understanding the positive roles of gut symbionts in honeybee fitness.
Salmon gut microbiota correlates with disease infection status: potential for monitoring health in farmed animals
Authors: Bozzi Davide , Rasmussen Jacob A. , Carøe Christian , Sveier Harald , Nordøy Kristian , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Limborg Morten T.
Published: December 2020

Background

Infectious diseases cause significant production losses in aquaculture every year. Since the gut microbiota plays an essential role in regulating the host immune system, health and physiology, altered gut microbiota compositions are often associated with a diseased status. However, few studies have examined the association between disease severity and degree of gut dysbiosis, especially when the gut is not the site of the primary infection. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge on whether bath treatment with formalin, a disinfectant commonly used in aquaculture to treat external infections, might affect the gut microbiome as a consequence of formalin ingestion. Here we investigate, through 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding, changes in the distal gut microbiota composition of a captive-reared cohort of 80 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), in consequence of an external bacterial skin infection due to a natural outbreak and the subsequent formalin treatment.
Results

We identified Tenacibaculum dicentrarchi as the causative disease pathogen and we show that the distal gut of diseased salmon presented a different composition from that of healthy individuals. A new, yet undescribed, Mycoplasma genus characterized the gut of healthy salmon, while in the sick fish we observed an increase in terms of relative abundance of Aliivibrio sp., a strain regarded as opportunistic. We also noticed a positive correlation between fish weight and Mycoplasma sp. relative abundance, potentially indicating a beneficial effect for its host. Moreover, we observed that the gut microbiota of fish treated with formalin was more similar to those of sick fish than healthy ones.
Conclusions

We conclude that external Tenacibaculum infections have the potential of indirectly affecting the host gut microbiota. As such, treatment optimization procedures should account for that. Formalin treatment is not an optimal solution from a holistic perspective, since we observe an altered gut microbiota in the treated fish. We suggest its coupling with a probiotic treatment aimed at re-establish a healthy community. Lastly, we have observed a positive correlation of Mycoplasma sp. with salmon health and growth performances, therefore we encourage further investigations towards its potential utilization as a biomarker for monitoring health in salmon and potentially other farmed fish species.
Cytokine Signatures of End Organ Injury in COVID-19
Authors: Gómez-Escobar Luis G. , Hoffman Katherine L. , Choi Justin J. , Borczuk Alain , Salvatore Steven , Alvarez-Mulett Sergio L. , Galvan Manuel D. , Zhao Zhen , Racine-Brzostek Sabrina E. , Yang He S. , Stout-Delgado Heather Winona , Choi Mary E , Choi Augustine MK , Cho Soo Jung , Schenck Edward J.
Published: December 2020

Increasing evidence has shown that Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) severity is driven by a dysregulated immunologic response. We aimed to assess the differences in inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19 patients compared to contemporaneously hospitalized controls and then analyze the relationship between these cytokines and the development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and mortality. In this cohort study of hospitalized patients, done between March third, 2020 and April first, 2020 at a quaternary referral center in New York City we included adult hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and negative controls. Serum specimens were obtained on the first, second, and third hospital day and cytokines were measured by Luminex. Autopsies of nine cohort patients were examined. We identified 90 COVID-19 patients and 51 controls. Analysis of 48 inflammatory cytokines revealed upregulation of macrophage induced chemokines, T-cell related interleukines and stromal cell producing cytokines in COVID-19 patients compared to the controls. Moreover, distinctive cytokine signatures predicted the development of ARDS, AKI and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Specifically, macrophage-associated cytokines predicted ARDS , T cell immunity related cytokines predicted AKI and mortality was was associated with cytokines of activated immune pathways, of which IL-13 was universally correlated with ARDS, AKI and mortality. Histopathological examination of the autopsies showed diffuse alveolar damage with significant mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration. Additionally, the kidneys demonstrated glomerular sclerosis, tubulointerstitial lymphocyte infiltration and cortical and medullary atrophy. These patterns of cytokine expression offer insight into the pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease, its severity, and subsequent lung and kidney injury suggesting more targeted treatment strategies.
Use of sequence analysis for classifying individual antidepressant trajectories to monitor population mental health
Authors: Cherrie Mark , Curtis Sarah , Baranyi Gergő , McTaggart Stuart , Cunningham Niall , Licence Kirsty , Dibben Chris , Bambra Clare , Pearce Jamie
Published: December 2020

BackgroundOver the past decade, antidepressant prescriptions have increased in European countries and the United States, partly due to an increase in the number of new cases of mental illness. This paper demonstrates an innovative approach to the classification of population level change in mental health status, using administrative data for a large sample of the Scottish population. We aimed to identify groups of individuals with similar patterns of change in pattern of prescribing, validate these groups by comparison with other indicators of mental illness, and characterise the population most at risk of increasing mental ill health. MethodsNational Health Service (NHS) prescription data were linked to the Scottish Longitudinal Study (SLS), a 5.3% sample of the Scottish population (N=151,418). Antidepressant prescription status over the previous six months was recorded for every month for which data were available (January 2009-December 2014), and sequence dissimilarity was computed by optimal matching. Hierarchical clustering was used to create groups of participants who had similar patterns of change, with multi-level logistic regression used to understand group membership. ResultsFive distinct prescription pattern groups were observed, indicating: no prescriptions (76%), occasional prescriptions (10%), continuation of prior use of prescriptions (8%), a new course of prescriptions started (4%) or ceased taking prescriptions (3%). Young, white, female participants, of low social grade, residing in socially deprived neighbourhoods, living alone, being separated/divorced or out of the labour force, were more likely to be in the group that started a new course of antidepressant prescriptions.ConclusionsThe use of sequence analysis for classifying individual antidepressant trajectories offers a novel approach for capturing population-level changes in mental health risk. By classifying individuals into groups based on their anti-depressant medication use we can better identify how over time, mental health is associated with individual risk factors and contextual factors at the local level and the macro political and economic scale.
Socio-economic inequalities in the association between alcohol use disorder and depressive disorder among Thai adults: a population-based study
Authors: Assanangkornchai Sawitri , Nontarak Jiraluck , Aekplakorn Wichai , Chariyalertsak Suwat , Kessomboon Pattapong , Taneepanichskul Surasak
Published: December 2020

Background: Previous evidence indicates significant associations between depressive disorders and alcohol use disorder (AUD) and their strong links with social conditions. This study aims to investigate the association between major depressive episode (MDE) and AUD across various socio-economic groups.Methods: We analysed data from the 2014 Thai National Health Examination Survey containing a random sample of 13,177 adults aged >20 years from the general population. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test was used to classify respondents into non-problem drinking (score 0-7), hazardous drinking (score 8-15), and harmful-dependent drinking (score 16-40). MDE was identified using questions based on the DSM-IV. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multinomial logistic regression to determine the strength of associations between MDE as a predictor and AUD as an outcome variable across different socio-economic levels.Results: The prevalence of MDE, hazardous, and harmful-dependent drinking was 2.5%, 10.3%, and 1.9%, respectively. The association between MDE and AUD was modified by wealth index, education level and area of residence. AORs for the association between MDE and harmful-dependent drinking were high among those in the highest (AOR=8.68, 95% CI: 5.34, 14.11) and lowest (AOR=7.14, 95% CI: 3.71, 13.73) levels of wealth index but not significant among those in the middle level (AOR=1.78, 95% CI: 0.74, 4.25). Education had the strongest effect on the relationship between MDE and harmful-dependent drinking (AOR=16.0, 95% CI: 10.30, 24.90 among those completing secondary school or higher and AOR=1.44, 95% CI: 0.63, 3.33 among those completing primary school only). The association between MDE and harmful-dependent drinking was higher among people who lived in urban areas (AOR=8.50, 95% CI: 5.50, 13.13) compared to those living in rural areas (AOR=4.73, 95% CI: 3.31, 6.77).Conclusion: Socio-economic factors modify the association between alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder among Thai people.
Macrolide and fluoroquinolone associated mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium in a retrospective study of male and female patients seeking care at a STI Clinic in Guangzhou, China, 2016-2018.
Authors: Ke Wujian , Li Dongling , Tso Lai Sze , Wei Ran , Lan Yinyuan , Chen Zhengyu , Zhang Xiaohui , Wang Liuyuan , Liang Chunmei , Liao Yuying , Chen Huiru , Liu Yahui , Zheng Heping , Yang Ligang
Published: December 2020

Background Antimicrobial resistance in M. genitalium is a growing clinical problem. We investigated the mutations associated with macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance, two commonly used medical regimens for treatment in China. Our aim is to analyze the prevalence and diversity of mutations among M. genitalium-positive clinical specimens in Guangzhou, south China.Methods A total of 154 stored M. genitalium positive specimens from men and women attending a STI clinic were tested for macrolide and fluoroquinolone mutations. M. genitalium was detected via TaqMan MGB real-time PCR. Mutations associated with macrolide resistance were detected using primers targeting region V of the 23S rRNA gene. Fluoroquinolone resistant mutations were screened via primers targeting topoisomerase IV (parC) and DNA gyrase (gyrA).Results 98.7% (152/154), 95.5% (147/154) and 90.3% (139/154) of M. genitalium positive samples produced sufficient amplicon for detecting resistance mutations in 23S rRNA, gyrA and parC genes, respectively. 66.4% (101/152), 0.7% (1/147) and 77.7% (108/139) samples manifested mutations in 23S rRNA, gyrA and parC genes, respectively. A2072G (59/101, 58.4%) and S83I (79/108, 73.1%) were highly predominating in 23S rRNA and parC genes, respectively. Two samples had amino acid substitutions in gyrA (M95I and A96T, respectively). Two samples had two amino acid substitutions in parC (S83I + D87Y). 48.6% (67/138) of samples harbored both macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations. The most common combination of mutations was A2072G (23S rRNA) and S83I (parC) (40/67, 59.7%). One sample had three amino acid changes in 23S rRNA, gyrA and parC genes (A2072G + A96T + S83I).Conclusions The high antimicrobial resistance rate of M. genitalium in Guangzhou is a very worrying problem and suggests that antimicrobial resistance testing and the development of new antibiotic regimens are crucially needed.