bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of partnerships for actions intra-sectoral and inter-sectors for health in areas of high socio-environmental vulnerability in the city of São Paulo/Brazil: a mixed method study
Authors: Bezerra Patricia Melo , Guerriero Iara Coelho Zito
Published: November 2019

Context: Since poverty areas are socioeconomic complex and limiting environments, there is a need to develop intra-sectoral and inter-sectoral actions in the health territory in order to achieve the economic and social well-being of people and society. This research aims to understand the relationship between inter-sectorial and inter-sectoral actions for health and socio-environmental groupings of the most vulnerable health territories in the city of São Paulo, identify which are the most frequent partners of these actions and how professionals experience these partnerships in their daily lives.
Method: We adopted the mixed sequential and explanatory method. In the first phase, an online form was applied and identifies the Basic Health Units (BHU) that take place as intersectoral actions with more partners. In the second phase, we explored how the professionals consider the characteristics of the territory where they act to seek partnerships and how they carry out the actions.
Results: Analysis of quantitative data indicated that: a) More than 98% of BHUs conduct intra- and inter-sectoral partnerships and b) there is no relationship between the indices of the most vulnerable groupings and the presence of intra- and inter-sectoral actions with statistical significance p <0.05. The content analysis of literal transcriptions pointed out that: intra- and inter-sectoral practices developed in the health territories were driven by the needs of the treatment of diseases or by the precarious conditions of life of individual or collectivities. However, in order to assist different types of violence, health professionals avoid seeking partnerships, including with the Tutelary Council and the Center for Human Rights, as they fear they will suffer reprisals by those who cause this violence. There was consistency between quantitative and qualitative data, except for partnership with education, other BHUs, environment, and the Tutelary Council.
Conclusion: The construction of personalized partnerships for individual and collective health, in order to cope with social inequalities; of chronic diseases and by phases of the life cycle involved in socioeconomic fragilities that generate more poverty is part of the job from BHU’s professionals.
Functional and population genetic features of copy number variations in two dairy cattle populations
Authors: Lee Young-Lim , Bosse Mirte , Mullaart Erik , Groenen Martien A. M. , Veerkamp Roel F. , Bouwman Aniek C.
Published: November 2019

Background Copy Number Variations (CNVs) are gain or loss of DNA segments that are known to play a role in shaping a wide range of phenotypes. In this study, we used two dairy cattle populations, Holstein Friesian and Jersey, to discover CNVs using the Illumina BovineHD Genotyping BeadChip aligned to the ARS-UCD1.2 assembly. The discovered CNVs were investigated for their functional impact and their population genetics features. Results We discovered 14,272 autosomal CNVs, which were aggregated into 1,755 CNV regions (CNVR) from 451 animals. These CNVRs together cover 2.8% of the bovine autosomes. The assessment of the functional impact of CNVRs showed that rare CNVRs (MAF < 0.01) are more likely to overlap with genes, than common CNVRs (MAF ≥ 0.05). The Population differentiation index (Fst) based on CNVRs revealed multiple highly diverged CNVRs between the two breeds. Some of these CNVRs overlapped with candidate genes such as MGAM and ADAMTS17 genes, which are related to starch digestion and body size, respectively. Lastly, linkage disequilibrium (LD) between CNVRs and BovineHD BeadChip SNPs was generally low, close to 0, although common deletions (MAF≥ 0.05) showed slightly higher LD (r2=~0.1 at 10kb distance) than the rest. Nevertheless, this LD is still lower than SNP-SNP LD (r2=~0.5 at 10kb distance). Conclusions Our analyses showed that CNVRs detected using BovineHD BeadChip arrays are likely to be functional. This finding indicates that CNVs can potentially disrupt the function of genes and thus might alter phenotypes. Also, the population differentiation index revealed two candidate genes, MGAM and ADAMTS17, which hint at adaptive evolution between the two populations. Lastly, low CNVR-SNP LD implies that genetic variation from CNVs might not be fully captured in routine animal genetic evaluation, which relies solely on SNP markers. Keywords: Copy number variations, Bos taurus, Linkage disequilibrium, population genetics
Prognostic significance of NDRG2 combined with EGFR patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yang Bo , Li Xiao-Ping , Zhou Hong-Gang , Jiang Tao , Xiao Ting , Li Xiao-He , Zhang Liang , Li Lei , Wang Wen-Chen , Zhang Wei-Dong
Published: November 2019

Background: N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) plays a substantial role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation could significantly improve prognosis in patients with LUAD. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the prognostic value of NDRG2/EGFR in patients with LUAD. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were conducted to detect the expression levels of NDRG2 protein. Association between NDRG2/EGFR expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with LUAD was examined as well. Serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was tested prior to treatment of patients with LUAD. Patients’ overall survival was assessed by Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was carried out to investigate the effects of patients’ demographic characteristics on OS. Results: The expression level of NDRG2 was significantly decreased in patients with LUAD. The expression level of NDRG2 was positively correlated with levels of CEA and EGFR. Advanced stages were significantly associated with low expression level of NDRG2. We found that patients in NDRG2-high/EGFR(+) group had the best outcome, while patients in NDRG2-low/EGFR(-) group had the worst. Meanwhile, Cox regression analysis showed that NDRG2-low/EGFR(+), NDRG2-high/EGFR(+), and vascular invasion were independent prognostic factors of LUAD. Conclusion: The significant prognostic value of NDRG2/EGFR should be highly considered in patients with LUAD.
Elevated levels of serum urokinase plasminogen activator predict poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma after resection
Authors: Tsai Ming-Chao , Yen Yi-Hao , Chang Kuo-Chin , Hung Chao-Hung , Chen Chien-Hung , Lin Ming-Tsung , Hu Tsung-Hui
Published: November 2019

Background: Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is an extracellular matrix-degrading protease that is involved in the invasiveness and progression of cancer. There is good evidence that uPA expression is a clinically relevant biomarker in some solid tumors, but its role in hepatocellulcar carcinoma (HCC) is uncertain. We evaluated the prognostic value of serum uPA before surgery in HCC patients receiving curative resection. Methods: Serum uPA levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 282 HCC patients who received complete liver resections at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Overall survival (OS) curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. A Cox proportional -hazards regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors. The median follow-up time was 52 months. Results: Patients with higher pretreatment serum uPA (≥1 ng/ml) had significantly shorter OS (p = 0.002). Patients with liver cirrhosis, hypoalbuminemia, and thrombocytopenia were significantly more likely to present with elevated uPA levels. Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that high pretreatment serum uPA [hazard ratio (HR), 1.848, p = 0.006], vascular invasion (HR, 2.940, p <0.001), and pathology stage III/IV (HR, 3.517, p<0.001) were independent prognostic factors for OS. In further stratified analyses, the combination of serum uPA and AFP had more capacity to predict OS. Conclusions: We conclude that uPA is a clinically relevant biomarker in HCC patients receiving curative resection, with higher expression of uPA being associated with higher mortality. This also highlights the potential utility of uPA as a therapeutic target for improved treatment strategies.
Molecular Dynamics simulations of TREM2 variants R47H and R62H show structural alterations at key binding regions leading to possible implications for mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease.
Authors: Menzies Georgina Elizabeth , Sims Rebecca , Williams Julie
Published: November 2019

Background There is strong evidence supporting the association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and protein-coding variants, R47H and R62H in triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2). The TREM2 protein is an immune receptor protein found in brain microglia. These two variants are in a similar position in the protein but cause a different functional outcome. A structural alteration caused by the variants could be having a large effect on the protein. A crystallised structure was used to investigate structural differences. Both variants were inserted into the protein structure and these were subjected to 300ns of molecular dynamic simulation (MD) in order to investigate the link between structural change and AD risk.Results Results suggest structural alterations in both variant models of TREM2 which could be causing the reduced functional outcome. A large change was noted in the R47H model in the complementarity-determining region two (CDR2) loop, a proposed binding site for ligands such as APOE, a smaller change was observed in the R62H model in this same loop. The overall structure remained stable, possibly accounting for the reduced, not missing, function of TREM2 in disease.Conclusions These differing levels of structural impact could explain the in vitro observed differences in TREM2-ligand binding when the mutations are present. Further studies to investigate this binding loop could help not only a better understanding of TREM2’s role in the onset of dementia but also possibly provide a target for therapeutics.
Assessment of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Sterile Pyuria among Antenatal Attendants in hospitals in Northern Ghana
Authors: Karikari Akosua Bonsu , Saba Courage Kosi Setsoafia , Yamik David Yembilla
Published: November 2019

Background Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and sterile pyuria (SP) are complexities of UTI whose prevalence are not known in the northern sector of Ghana. Our aim was to determine the occurrence of sterile pyuria and asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women accessing antenatal care at a secondary and tertiary care hospitals in Tamale, northern Ghana.Methods A cross sectional study was conducted by screening 530 pregnant women with no signs of acute urinary tract infection attending antenatal clinic for a period of 6 months. Midstream urine was collected for microscopy, quantitative urine culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.Results Of the 390 and 90 women screened for ASB, prevalence was 20% and 35.5% respectively at Tamale Central and Tamale Teaching Hospital. Sterile pyuria was found among 66% of the 50 women presenting at Tamale Central Hospital. More than 64% of isolates recovered from ASB patients were S. aureus and coagulase negative Staph. ( CoNS ). Escherichia coli was the dominant species among members of the enterobacteriaceae isolated. Highest susceptibility was recorded against gentamicin and amikacin while most resistance was to Ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin. Resistance to imipenem and vancomycin were 28.8% and 52%, with strains showing multiple drug resistance of between 81-92%.Conclusion The prevalence of asymptomac bacteriuria is appreciably higher (20-35.5%) than documented rates in the southern sector of the country. The presence of sterile pyuria which may be an indication of asymptomatic renal impairment and most often overlooked in antenatal management is 66%. Empirical treatment of UTIs at the Tamale Central and Teaching Hospital without confirmation of susceptibility may result in treatment failure. It is necessary to screen and treat pregnant women for ASB and SP due to the complications associated with these conditions.
Bioinformatic Analysis of Peripheral Blood miRNA of Breast Cancer Patients in Relation With Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Yadi Wang , Shurui Chen , Tong Zhang , Suxian Chen , Qing Tong , Dongning He
Published: November 2019

The current diagnostic methods and treatments still fail to lower the incidence of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity effectively. In this study, we aimed to (1) analyze the cardiotoxicity-related genes after breast cancer chemotherapy in gene expression database and (2) carry out bioinformatic analysis to identify cardiotoxicity-related abnormal expressions, the biomarkers of such abnormal expressions, and the key regulatory pathways after breast cancer chemotherapy. Cardiotoxicity-related gene expression data (GSE40447) after breast cancer chemotherapy was acquired from the GEO database. The biomarker expression data of women with chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (group A), chemotherapy history but no cardiotoxicity (group B), and confirmatory diagnosis of breast cancer but normal ejection fraction before chemotherapy (group C) were analyzed to obtain the mRNA with differential expressions and predict the miRNAs regulating the differential expressions. The miRanda formula and functional enrichment analysis were used to screen abnormal miRNAs. Then, the gene ontology (GO) analysis was adapted to further screen the miRNAs related to cardiotoxicity after breast cancer chemotherapy. The data of differential analysis of biomarker expression of groups A, B, and C using the GSE40447-related gene expression profile database showed that there were 30 intersection genes. The differentially expressed mRNAs were predicted using the miRanda and TargetScan software, and a total of 2978 miRNAs were obtained by taking the intersections. Further, the GO analysis and targeted regulatory relationship between miRNA and target genes were used to establish miRNA-gene interaction network to screen and obtain 7 cardiotoxicity-related miRNAs with relatively high centrality, including hsa-miR-4638-3p, hsa-miR-5096, hsa-miR-4763-5p, hsa-miR-1273g-3p, hsa-miR6192, hsa-miR-4726-5p and hsa-miR-1273a. Among them, hsa-miR-4638-3p and hsa-miR-1273g-3p had the highest centrality. The PCR verification results were consistent with those of the chip data. There are differentially expressed miRNAs in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients with anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Among them, hsa-miR-4638-3p and hsa-miR-1273g-3p are closely associated with the onset of anthracycline cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer. Mining, integrating, and validating effective information resources of biological gene chips can provide a new direction for further studies on the molecular mechanism of anthracycline cardiotoxicity.
Innate Phagocytosis and P2X7 Receptor Function: a Comparison of Endophthalmitis Patients and Population Controls
Authors: Hurley Andrew , Dawkins Rosie Claire Hewitt , Huang Xin , Gu Baijun , Allen Penelope
Published: November 2019

The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
Effectiveness of early postoperative oral hydration after colorectal surgery with general anesthesia: A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yin Xiaorong , Yang Lei , Xiang Shunju , Wu Yixuan , Li Qian
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND: Over the last decades, studies have already demonstrated that early feeding in patients after elective colorectal surgery yielded a shorter length of hospital stay and did not cause additional risk for adverse events. However, the optimal timing for beginning oral hydration after colorectal surgery under general anesthesia remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted the study to evaluate the effects of early oral hydration (EOH) versus traditional oral hydration (TOH) on thirst and clinical safety outcomes after colorectal surgery under general anesthesia. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled trial of 1,000 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists I–III who underwent colorectal surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to the EOH group (given 0.5 ml/kg water after recovery from general anesthesia) or TOH group (fasting and water deprivation until postoperative intestine function recovery). The primary outcome was thirst scale, and secondary outcomes were discomfort score, nausea and vomiting score, and safety outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 1,000 patients who underwent randomization at initial stage, 27 were excluded in EOH group because of refusal (n=22) or nausea and vomiting before hydration (n=5). Demographic and operative data were similar, but not statistically significant (P>0.05). Patients who received EOH were associated with lower thirst score than with TOH (EOH 45.70±24.51 vs. TOH 62.20±23.99; P<0.001) and oropharyngeal discomfort scale (EOH 3.71±8.49 vs. TOH 6.18±11.89, P<0.0001) 30 min after drinking. No significant differences were found for the time of intestinal movements (EOH 73.37±34.49 h, TOH 70.56±31.71, P=0.187) and for EOH and TOH for the risk of nausea and vomiting at the postoperative period (P>0.05) and other complications (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested the safety outcomes for mild EOH on patients after colorectal surgery under general anesthesia. Patients who received EOH could have significantly reduced degree of thirst scale and oropharyngeal discomfort scale 30 min after drinking. Trial registration: CHiCTR, CHiCTR-TRC-13003097. Registered 11 March2013, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=6462.
Nalmefene to prevent Epidural morphine-induced pruritus after Caesarean delivery: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trail
Authors: Zhong Chaochao , Xu Xingguo , Zhu Xiang , Qin Yibin , Miao Haihang , Huang Xinchong , Cao Su
Published: November 2019

Background. Epidural morphine provides an effective analgesic effect on cesarean section patients, while epidural morphine-induced pruritus is a very common side-effect that is difficult to prevent or treat. The aim of this study was to determine whether a μ-opioid antagonist with central and peripheral effects could reduce morphine-induced pruritus. Methods. Eighty patients who underwent elective cesarean delivery under spinal aesthesia with epidural morphine 3mg were divided into two groups of 40 each in this prospective, randomized study. After delivery, participants received either intravenous nalmefene hydrochloride 50μg( Nalmefene group, n=40) or saline(Placebo group, n=40). Pruritus, nausea, pain, and side-effects were assessed at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24h after epidural morphine administration. Results. Eighty women completed the study. Compared to IV saline , the total incidence of pruritus within the first 24 hours was reduced in IV nalmefene group (37.5% vs 65%, P=0.003). IV nalmefene also reduced the severity of pruritus. There was no significant difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting. Remarkably, although the pain scores were significantly higher at 8, 12 and 24h(all P<0.05) in the nalmefene groups, but there was no difference between two groups in the number of patients who needed analgesic treatment(P=0.37). Conclusions. A single dose of IV nalmefene 50μg can reduce the overall severity and incidence of epidural morphine-related pruritus without adversely affecting the quality of postoperative analgesia. TRIAL REGISTRY: ChiCTR1900022268. Registered on 2 April 2019
Ureteric stenting versus non-stenting following uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy: A Prospective randomized trial.
Authors: Demour Saddam Al , Alrabadi Adel , AlSharif Abedallatif , Ababneh Mera , Melhem Motaz , Mansi Hammam , Aljamal Sa’id , Abufaraj Mohammad
Published: November 2019

Background: There is no consensus about whether a double-J ureteric stent (DJ-US) should be placed following uncomplicated ureteroscopy for stone retrieval. This study aimed to compare three groups of patients who underwent uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) and to evaluate whether stents could be eliminated after the procedure. Methods: A total of 105 patients underwent uncomplicated URSL for ureteric stones were prospectively randomized into three groups: group 1 (34 patients) with DJ-US, group 2 (35 patients) with DJ-US on extraction string, and group 3 (36 patients) with no DJ-US after the procedure. The outcomes measured were; postoperative Visual Analog Score (VAS) for flank pain and dysuria score, urgency, frequency, suprapubic pain, hematuria, analgesia requirement, operative time, re-hospitalization, and return to normal physical activity.Results: Mean operative time was significantly longer in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3 [mean time ± SD, 22.2 ± 9.1 min, 20.2 ± 6 min, 15.1 ± 7.1 min respectively, p<0.0001]. The results of the VAS for flank pain and dysuria scores, urgency, frequency, hematuria, and suprapubic pain showed a significant difference at all time points of follow-up, with significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3. Further analysis showed that measured outcomes, and analgesia need for groups 1 and 2 were similar, at all time points except at week 1 and 1 month where group 2 patient’s had less symptoms.Conclusion: DJ-US placement appear to be unnecessary in procedures considered uncomplicated by operating urologists during surgery. The advantages of DJ-US with extraction string over DJ-US only include earlier and easy removal with earlier relief of symptoms, and less analgesia requirements.
Chicken avian β-defensin 8 modulates immune response via the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in a chicken macrophage cell line
Authors: Hong Yeojin , Pham Thu Thao , Lee Jiae , Lillehoj Hyun S. , Hong Yeong Ho
Published: November 2019

Background Defensins are antimicrobial peptides composed of three conserved disulfide bridges, a β-sheet, and both hydrophobic and cationic amino acids. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the immunomodulation role of avian β-defensin 8 (AvBD8) in a chicken macrophage cell line.Results Chicken AvBD8 stimulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon-γ, and IL-12p40) and chemokines (CCL4, CXCL13, and CCL20) in macrophages. Furthermore, by western blotting and immunocytochemistry, we confirmed that AvBD8 activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway via extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 signaling molecules.Conclusion Overall, AvBD8 plays a crucial role in host defense as not only an antimicrobial peptide, but also an immunomodulator by activating the MAPK signaling pathway and inducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Evaluation of the expression of Notch1 and related proteins in lung carcinoma cells
Authors: Hassan Wael Ahmed Maher Abdou Abdou , Ito Takaaki
Published: November 2019

Introduction Notch signaling pathway has different roles in many human neoplasms, being either tumor-promoting or anti-proliferative. In addition, Notch signaling in carcinogenesis could be tissue dependent.Aim To study the relation between Notch1 protein expression in lung cancer cells to the following Notch related proteins: Hes1, c-Myc, Jagged1 and Jagged2.Materials and methods Notch1 and its related proteins were detected in human lung cancer cell lines and in 54 surgically resected different lung carcinoma tissues. Then, we used small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology, to down-regulate the expression of Notch1 in H69AR and SBC3 small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells. Also, we transfected venus Notch1 intracellular domain (v.NICD) plasmid into human SCLC lines; H69. Result s: The expression of Hes1, c-Myc and Jagged2 is affected by Notch1 in SCLC.Conclusion There is a strong association between the expression of Notch1 protein and the expression of Hes1, c-Myc and Jagged2 proteins, which could aid in better understanding the tumorigenesis in SCLC.
Lung-protective ventilation suppresses systemic and hepatic vein levels of cell-free DNA in porcine experimental post-operative sepsis
Authors: Nyberg Axel , Larsson Alexander , Jylhävä Juulia , Hurme Mikko , Sperber Jesper , Lipcsey Miklós , Castegren Markus
Published: November 2019

Background: Plasma levels of cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) are known to be elevated in sepsis and high levels are associated with a poor prognosis. Mechanical ventilation affects systemic inflammation in which lung-protective ventilation attenuates the inflammatory response.

Aim: To study the effect of tidal volume and PEEP on arterial and organ-specific venous blood as well as on trans-organ differences in cf-DNA levels in a porcine post-operative sepsis model.

Method: One group of anaesthetised, domestic-breed, 9-12 weeks old, pigs were ventilated with protective ventilation (VT 6mL x kg-1, PEEP 10 cmH2O) n=20. Another group, ventilated with a medium high tidal volume and lower PEEP, served as a control group (VT 10 mL x kg-1, PEEP 5 cm H2O) n=10. Blood samples were taken from four sources: artery, hepatic vein, portal vein and, jugular bulb. A continuous endotoxin infusion at 0.25 µg x kg-1 x h-1 for 5 h was started following 2 h of laparotomy, which simulated a surgical procedure. Inflammatory cytokines and cf-DNA in plasma were analysed and trans-organ differences calculated.

Results: The protective ventilation group had lower levels of cf-DNA in arterial (p=0.02) and hepatic venous blood (p=0.03) compared with the controls. Transhepatic differences in cf-DNA were lower in the protective group, compared with the controls (p=0.03). No differences between the groups were noted as regards the transcerebral, transsplanchnic or the transpulmonary cf-DNA differences.

Conclusions: Protective ventilation suppresses arterial levels of cf-DNA. The liver seems to be a net contributor to the systemic cf-DNA levels, but this effect is attenuated by protective ventilation.
Analysis of risk factors for the development of a post-bronchoscopy respiratory infection in lung cancer patients
Authors: Shimoda Masafumi , Yamana Kazunari , Yano Ryozo , Saitou Masaoki , Fujiwara Keiji , Furuuchi Koji , Osawa Takeshi , Uesugi Fumiko , Arakawa Kenichi , Morimoto Kozo , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Kokutou Hiroyuki , Okumura Masao , Uchiyama Takashi , Ohta Ken , Yoshimori Kozo
Published: November 2019

Background: The development of pneumonia following bronchoscopy is very important as a post-bronchoscopy complication. Most patients with post-bronchoscopy respiratory infections show typical pneumonia, and lung abscesses are rare. However, bronchoscopic techniques have advanced, and recently, we have observed patients with lung abscess after bronchoscopy. Therefore, the risk factors might vary from those in past reports. This study aims to identify the incidence of and risk factors for post-bronchoscopy respiratory infections. Methods: We retrospectively studied adult patients diagnosed with lung cancer by bronchoscopy at Fukujuji Hospital between January 2017 and June 2019. Patients in the infection and noninfection groups were compared. The incidence of lung abscess was compared between recent periods and 2013, when endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) was not yet used in our hospital. Results: We reviewed 327 patients, including 20 patients (6.1%) in the infection group. The risk factors for infection were necrosis and/or a cavity in the tumor (p<0.001), large tumor diameter (≥30 mm) (p=0.003), and low serum albumin (<4.0 g/dL) (p=0.012). We developed a predictive score that included these risk factors, and the area under the curve of the score was 0.737 (95% Cl: 0.610-0.864). Conversely, no significant differences in age, current smoking status, or abnormal bronchoscopic findings were observed, even though these factors were reported as risk factors in past reports. Other risk factors for infection were a high white blood cell count (p=0.007), high C-reactive protein level (p=0.014), and expression of programmed death-ligand 1 expression in the tumor cells (p=0.033). In total, 12 patients had lung abscesses (3.7%), which represents a higher incidence than that in 2013 (0.8%). Other types of infection were post-obstructive pneumonia in four patients (1.2%) and typical pneumonia in four patients (1.2%). Conclusions: The risk factors for developing post-bronchoscopy respiratory infection in our study varied from those in past reports, possibly because of the advancement of bronchoscopic techniques such as EBUS-GS.
Survival analysis of asthma patients attended to at Chitungwiza Central Hospital in Zimbabwe
Authors: Ndarukwa Pisirai , Chimbari Moses John , Sibanda Elopy
Published: November 2019

Background Asthma is one of the leading global public health problems with an estimated 300 thousand deaths occurring annually worldwide. Deaths due to asthma in Zimbabwe reached 1 301 or 1.02% of total deaths in 2014. The association between asthma survival and socio-demographic and pathologic factors has not been done in Zimbabwe. We aimed to determine the survival of asthma patients at Chitungwiza Central Hospital in Zimbabwe over a period of 20 years. Methods Records for 158 asthma patients were analysed in this retrospective cohort study. The patient records were sampled from the computerised health information department at the hospital. Data were collected using a patient record checklist which was divided into four sections: (i) demographic information, (ii) clinical characteristics of asthma patients, (iii) health service utilization and (iv) asthma self-management. Descriptive data analysis was performed using the Kaplan Meier survival function curves. The Kaplan Meier survival curves were differentiated by the log-rank test, median survival times and mortality rates. Significant hazard ratios were used for multivariate cox regression model and a test on proportional hazards assumption based on Schoenfeld residuals was conducted. Results The total follow-up time was 2208 person years. The majority of the participants (60.7%) were female. The mortality rate was 61.4%. The median age at death was 25.5 years (IQR; 21-34). Smoking history [p=<0.001], presence of respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease [p=0.002] were significantly associated with higher mortality. Having an income level
Exploring Drug Use Process among Kurdish Migrant Workers in Workplaces: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Khazaee-Pool Maryam , Darabi Fatemeh , ponnet Koen , Abdolahi Hossein Mashhadi , Rohban Alireza , Pashaei Tahereh
Published: November 2019

Background: Drug addiction is a significant social, medical, and health problem. . Although employment has often a positive effect on people’s quality of life, there is evidence that inappropriate condition in the workplace may trigger for drug use in employees. The aim this study was to explore contributing factors to drug use among migrant workers.
Methods: In this qualitative study, Thirty-five subjects were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected by using a variety of qualitative techniques such as in-depth, semi-structured face-to-face interviews with open-ended questions and group discussion.
Results: Among the entire interviews, 529 initial codes and 283 main codes were extracted and classified into 18 categories and five themes after careful examination.
Conclusion: As the results showed, drug use is prevalent among workers. The most important recommendations to prevent drugs use in workplace are taking more serious measures against drug dealers, prohibiting carrying drugs at workplace, implementing stricter drug test before recruitment and periodical tests and considering worker rights is useful.
Keywords: Drug use, addiction, migrant worker, workplace, employee
Upregulation of long intergenic noncoding RNA LINC00092 indicates favorable survival in lung adenocarcinoma via tumor growth inhibition
Authors: Jiang Mingyan , Wang Ke , Zhao Ziwen , Li Yujun , He Hua , Wei Shuquan , Chen Quhai , Chen Mindong , Xie Jianjiang , Zhao Zhuxiang
Published: November 2019

Background Long intergenic noncoding RNA 00092 (LINC00092) is a recently identified novel RNA that acts on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to drive the progression of ovarian cancer. Because CAFs also play a vital role in lung cancer, we hypothesized that LINC00092 is associated with lung cancer.Methods The expression level of LINC00092 was examined in 93 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor tissues and adjacent normal lung tissues, and its clinical effect on prognosis was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and Cox regression analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. The effect of LINC00092 on tumor growth was further assessed in vitro .Results LINC00092 was significantly downregulated in 76.3% (71/93) of lung cancer tissues compared to that in their normal counterparts ( P < 0.001), and high expression of LINC00092 led to a better prognosis with increased survival time (1632 days vs. 1171 days; P = 0.087) and decreased mortality (hazard rate, HR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.51-1.05) than low expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) but not in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients. Additionally, upregulation of LINC00092 inhibited LUAD cell proliferation and tumorigenic ability in vitro .Conclusions LINC00092 is an indicator of favorable LUAD prognosis. Targeted molecular therapy directed at LINC00092 upregulation may be a valuable strategy to fight LUAD.
Association of type 2 diabetes mellitus and antidiabetic medication with risk of prostate cancer: a population-based case-control study.
Authors: Lin E , Garmo Hans , Hemelrijck Mieke Van , Adolfsson Jan , Stattin Pär , Zethelius Björn , Crawley Danielle
Published: November 2019

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are prevalent conditions that often occur concomitantly. However, many aspects of the impact of T2DM, particularly the duration of T2DM and antidiabetic medications, on PCa risk are poorly understood.

Methods

To assess the association of duration of T2DM and antidiabetic medication with PCa risk, we designed a matched case-control study, including 31,415 men with PCa and 154,812 PCa-free men in Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden (PCBaSe) 4.1.

Results

Overall, a decreased risk of PCa was observed for men with T2DM (odds ratio (OR): 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.84), as compared to men without T2DM. The decreased risk of PCa was consistently showed across duration of T2DM. With respect to use of antidiabetic drugs, this inverse association with duration was also found for all medications types, as compared to men without T2DM, including insulin, metformin and sulphonylurea (SU) (e.g. 3-<5yr insulin OR:0.69, 95%CI:0.60-0.80; 3-<5yr metformin OR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.74-0.91; 3-<5yr SU OR: 0.72, 95%CI: 0.62-0.83). When stratifying by PCa risk categories, this decreased risk was most evident for diagnosis of low and intermediate-risk PCa (low-risk OR: 0.65, 95%CI: 0.66-0.70, intermediate-risk OR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.75-0.85).

Conclusions

The study showed an inverse association between pre-existing T2DM and PCa across different durations of T2DM and all types of T2DM medication received. This inverse association was most evident for low- and intermediate-risk PCa, suggesting that whilst T2DM and its medication may protect some men from developing PCa, the relationship warrants further study.
SERT and BDNF polymorphisms interplay on neuroticism in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Salinas Valeria , Villarroel Juana , Silva Hernán , Herrera Luisa , Jerez Sonia , Zazueta Alejandra , Montes Cristian , Nieto Rodrigo , Bustamante M. Leonor
Published: November 2019

Objective: Genetic factors underlying different personality traits are not entirely understood, particularly how genes interact to modulate their effect. We studied 76 patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), characterized by extreme levels of personality traits, especially neuroticism (N), in which we genotyped two polymorphisms, the 5HTTLPR of the Serotonin transporter (SERT) gene, and the Val66Met of the Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene. Results: We found an association with SERT, where S-allele carriers had significantly higher levels of N than L-homozygous. Furthermore, we found that the protective effect of L-homozygosity is only evident on A-allele carriers of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Genetic constitution in SERT and BDNF seems to be important in neuroticism, the most relevant personality trait on BPD.
Population-Based analysis for newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma with brain metastases
Authors: Feng Jincheng , Polychronidis Georgios , Heger Ulrike , Mehrabi Arianeb , Hoffmann Katrin
Published: November 2019

Background: There is little population-based data on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with brain metastases at initial diagnosis published. This study aimed to estimate incidence of brain metastases in initial metastatic HCC and its impact on prognosis.
Methods: Newly diagnosed HCC cases from 2010 to 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were screened for the presence of brain metastases. Data were stratified by age and ethnicity. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression were used to identify factors associated with brain metastases and factors associated with overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), respectively. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for survival analysis.
Results : 141 cases presenting with brain metastases were identified, accounting for 0.35% of all HCC cases and 2.37% of cases with metastatic HCC disease. The incidence rate was highest among cases with age 50-59 (2.74%), respectively. Ethnicity was not associated with the presence of brain metastases at the time of HCC diagnosis. However, African American patients presented significantly lower disease-specific survival (median time: 1month; interquartile range (IQR):0-3.0 months). Initial lung or bone metastasis was independently associated with an increased risk of the presence of brain metastases (odds ratio (OR) 12.62, 95%CI 8.40-18.97), but not associated with worse OS and CSS among brain metastases cases.
Conclusions: The study shows population-based incidence and survival of brain metastases at diagnosis of HCC. Brain metastases are most prevalent in initial metastatic HCC patients with lung or bone metastasis. The results may contribute to consider screening of the brain among HCC with initial lung or bone metastasis.
RESEARCH OF PROPERTIES OF THE METAL OF THE HEAT-AFFECTED ZONE FOR SURFACING BY STAPE ELECTRODE WITH THE CONTROLLED TRANSFER OF THE ELECTRODE METAL
Authors: Lavrova Elena
Published: November 2019

The quality of the deposited layer is determined by the conditions of its formation, as well as the properties of local zones, due to the parameters of the thermal cycle of surfacing (mechanical, microstructural, chemical, etc.). When surfacing the austenitic layer on pearlitic steels, the properties of the heat-affected zone, along with the resistance of the surface layer to corrosion, largely determine the performance and durability of the deposited product. To reduce the amount of heat input and effectively control the structure and properties of the heat-affected zone when restoring working surfaces by submerged arc surfacing, a method for surfacing with a tape electrode with controlled mechanical transfer of electrode metal is proposed. Studies have shown that the imposition of longitudinal sinusoidal vibrations on the end of the tape electrode can reduce the level of heat input in the heat-affected zone by increasing the efficiency of fusion of the base metal. At the investigated frequency of 50 Hz, the duration of the dots on the boundary of the fusion line and below it in the range 900 ... .1100 °С is less than when surfacing without controlled mechanical transfer. Reducing heat input into the heat-affected zone in the temperature range 900 ... 1100 °С provides a finer-grained structure. The use of forced vibrations of the end of the tape when surfacing a high-alloy austenitic layer on low-carbon steel makes it possible to obtain a finer-grained structure at the fusion boundary in the heat-affected zone. This will increase the resistance of the heat-affected zone to the formation of defects associated with a decrease in its mechanical properties.
THE ROLE OF LAND-USE PLANNING FOR ORGANIZE THE BALANCED TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE UNITED TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES
Authors: Bubyr Natalia
Published: November 2019

It is a well-known fact that sustainable land use can contribute the formation and maintenance of balanced territorial development. At the same time in scientific publications too little attention is paid to the consideration of land-use planning as an indispensable elementary component of sustainable land use. The aim of this article is to highlight is the importance of land-use planning for balanced territorial development within united territorial communities, mainly by analyzing existing land use and justification recommendations for optimizing land use on a balanced development basis. Land-use planning involves the creation of documentation, including planning and mapping materials, which regulates of land use process within certain administrative unit. In Ukraine, such materials are first of all, a scheme (plan) of land-use certain territorial community, which is compiled on a scale of 1:10000 and contains the current state of land use within the territory of the village council (united territorial community), environmental measures and information on land-use planning for the appropriate perspective. So, the main direction of implementation the ideas of balanced territorial development for the certain administrative unit is the creating a plan for its land-use planning based on the principles of optimization landscape systems on the balanced development basis. On this basis, let’s analyze the current state of land use the Nedogarkiv United Territorial Community and justify recommendations for optimizing land use on a balanced development basis. On a whole, land-use planning is essential for the organization of balanced (sustainable) development of the territory, since the documental status of all created materials indicates that they are mandatory for all landowners and land users. The only disadvantage is the complete dependence of land-use planning on the legislative framework certain country, which complicates the offering of uniform methods of its application for several states or individual regions of the world.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE TECHNIQUE OF CREATION OF REFERENCE FIRE-FIGHTING LINES BY EXPLOSION OF SHELLS WITH A COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURE
Authors: Dubinin Dmytro , Pirohov Oleksandr , Bezuhla Yuliia
Published: November 2019

About 40 thousand fires occur in Ukraine in natural ecosystems every year. Fires cause enormous damage to the environment, the population, and also the country's entire economy. Prevention and suppression of fires is one of the most relevant and most important tasks in Ukraine. To combat fires in natural ecosystems, such methods of fighting fires as the creation of reference fire-fighting lines are widely used. The results of an experiment on the creation of fire-fighting lines using an explosion of a single and double shell with a combustible mixture were carried out. To fill the shell, a stoichiometric mixture of acetylene with atmospheric pressure air was used. The shell was a plastic film 150 μm thick. During the experiment, the influence of the size (radius) of the shell and the number of lines on the width of the created reference fire-fighting lines, the distribution of the mass of vegetation along the shell with a combustible mixture before and after the explosion was studied. The obtained results of the experiment showed that the vegetation removal degree along the charge axis to the vegetation cover after the explosion is 0.05. The dependences of the vegetation removal degree on the reduced energy per one meter of the line with a combustible mixture are obtained. It is calculated that in the experiment, the energy per linear meter of the line with the combustible mixture was 3.04 MJ/m, 6.6 MJ/m and 10.9 MJ/m for the line with a radius of 0.5 m, 0.65 m and 0.9 m, respectively. The distribution of the vegetation removal degree was experimentally established, and based on the processing of the results obtained, dependencies were determined that made it possible to calculate the width of the reference fire-fighting line.
PHYSICAL MODELING OF THE HYDRODYNAMIC PROCESSES OF CASTING MOLDS POURING FILLED WITH A LOCALLY ORIENTED REINFORCING PHASE
Authors: Shalevska Inna , Kaliuzhnyi Pavlo
Published: November 2019

In the process of manufacturing reinforced castings by lost foam casting it is important to determine the laws of gas-hydrodynamic processes that occur during mold pouring. The study of liquid metal filling process a mold filled with a locally oriented reinforcing phase was carried out by the method of physical modeling using cold liquids on a special experimental bench that allows superimposing rarefaction to the front of the liquid metal. The video frames of the filling process the mold cavity without the reinforcing phase and with the presence of vertically mounted metal rods are obtained. It was established that the filling process without reinforcing elements occurs in three stages: 1) the flow of a gushing free stream into space; 2) the destruction of the free stream with the capture of the gas phase; 3) filling the form with a continuous stream with the removal of smaller gas inclusions from the liquid volume. It was also established that with an increase in the rarefaction, the character of filling the mold is preserved, only the intervals of existence of the corresponding stages are reduced. In the presence of a reinforcing phase in the cavity, a marked decrease in the height of the gushing of the jet in the initial stage with an increase in the number of installed rods. In addition, crushing by rods of a limited model space creates more favorable conditions for removing the filled gas phase from a moving stream.
Interplay between capital structure choice and survival and growth of small, medium, and micro enterprises: A South African context
Authors: John Nyide Celani , Zunckel Sharon
Published: November 2019

It is essential for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to become established, be sustainable and grow. These firms play a vital role in the economy of both developed and developing countries. Empirical studies have acknowledged the contribution of SMMEs to the economy, as well as to the gross domestic product. However, the failure rate of these firms has also been emphasized in the same studies. SMME survival is critical for economic growth, which is measured by increases in profits. Capital structure decisions are significant to the survival and growth of these entities. This study was conducted to examine the interplay between capital structure and SMMEs` survival and growth in a developing economy. A sample size of 103 SMMEs was chosen on a non-probability basis using convenience sampling within the eThekwini area, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The statistical tool used for analysis in this study was the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) 5.0 software. Capital structure was found to have a significant influence on the growth and survival of small, medium, and micro enterprises. The study concludes that utilizing retained earnings, personal savings, trade credit and funds from friends and family has a significant influence on the growth and survival of the firm. Debt and external equity financing, on the other hand, have an insignificant influence on the growth the firm.