bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: de Faria Coelho-Ravagnani Christianne , Campos Corgosinho Flavia , Ziegler Sanches Fabiane La Flor ,  Marques Maia Prado Carla , Laviano Alessandro , Mota João Felipe 
Published: December 2020

Optimal nutrition can improve well-being and might mitigate the risk and morbidity associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This review summarizes nutritional guidelines to support dietary counseling provided by dietitians and health-related professionals. The majority of documents encouraged the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. Thirty-one percent of the guidelines highlighted the importance of minerals and vitamins such as zinc and vitamins C, A, and D to maintain a well-functioning immune system. Dietary supplementation has not been linked to COVID-19 prevention. However, supplementation with vitamins C and D, as well as with zinc and selenium, was highlighted as potentially beneficial for individuals with, or at risk of, respiratory viral infections or for those in whom nutrient deficiency is detected. There was no convincing evidence that food or food packaging is associated with the transmission of COVID-19, but good hygiene practices for handling and preparing foods were recommended. No changes to breastfeeding recommendations have been made, even in women diagnosed with COVID-19.
Efficacy and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation Across Body Mass Index Categories
Authors: Kaplan Rachel M. , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Passman Rod S. , Fine Michelle , Rasmussen‐Torvik Laura J. , Vupputuri Suma , Martin Karlyn , Khan Sadiya S.
Published: December 2020

Background

Direct‐acting oral anticoagulants are now the preferred method of anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation. Limited data on efficacy and safety of these fixed‐dose regimens are available in severe obesity where drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics may be altered. The objectives of this study were to evaluate efficacy and safety in patients with atrial fibrillation taking direct‐acting oral anticoagulants across body mass index (BMI) categories in a contemporary, real‐world population.

Methods and Results

We performed a retrospective study of patients with atrial fibrillation at an integrated multisite healthcare system. Patients receiving a direct‐acting oral anticoagulant prescription and ≥12 months of follow‐up between 2010 and 2017 were included. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were ischemic stroke or systemic embolism and intracranial hemorrhage. We performed Cox proportional hazards modeling to compute hazard ratios (HRs) adjusted for CHA
2
DS
2
‐VASc score to examine differences by excess BMI categories relative to normal BMI. Of 7642 patients, mean±SD age was 69±12 years with a median (interquartile range) follow‐up of 3.8 (2.2–6.0) years. Approximately 22% had class 1 obesity and 19% had class 2 or 3 obesity. Stroke risks were similar in patients with and without obesity (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.5–2.9; and HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.23–2.0 for class 1 and class 2 or 3 obesity compared with normal BMI, respectively). Risk of intracranial hemorrhage was also similar in class 1 and class 2 or 3 obesity compared with normal BMI (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.35–1.2; and HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.35–1.2, respectively).

Conclusions

Direct‐acting oral anticoagulants demonstrated similar efficacy and safety across all BMI categories, even at high weight values.
Delivering Education to the Underserved through a Public-Private Partnership Program in Pakistan
Authors: Barrera-Osorio Felipe , Blakeslee David S. , Hoover Matthew , Linden Leigh , Raju Dhushyanth , Ryan Stephen P.
Published: December 2020

We evaluate a program that recruited local entrepreneurs to open and operate new schools in 200 underserved villages in Sindh, Pakistan. School operators received a per student subsidy to provide tuition-free primary education, and half the villages received a higher subsidy for females. The program increased enrollment by 32 percentage points and test scores by 0.63 standard deviations, with no difference across the two subsidy schemes. Estimating a structural model of the demand and supply for school inputs, we find that program schools selected inputs similar to those of a social planner who internalizes all the education benefits to society.
Future of North American Pentecostalism
Authors: Daniels David D.
Published: December 2020

This essay proposes first to chart the future of the pentecostal-charismatic movement in North America in terms of demographers’ projection of the movement’s numerical growth and other factors. Demographic growth is related to the continual arrival, in the near future, of pentecostal-charismatic Christians, other Christians, and potential converts to North America by way of diasporas mostly associated with the Global South. Second, within North America, these diasporas will continue to form transnational pentecostal-charismatic denominations with their international headquarters located in a country of the Global South. Related to these diasporas will be the further development of multiracial denominations led by American and Canadian citizens in North America. Third, the presence of transnational and multiracial denominations could prompt a reconfiguration of the movement, reshaping the religious infrastructure, racial politics, and post-secular engagement of the pentecostal-charismatic movement in North America. These demographic shifts offer the movement an opportunity to re-engage racial politics away from White supremacy with a critical use of the Racial Reconciliation Manifesto of the 1990s. Such a re-engagement could offer a sector within the pentecostal-charismatic movement a way to exit its alliance with the Christian Right, to participate with pentecostal-charismatic Christians of color in reconstituting the movement on the basis of the gospel rather than race, and to partner with secularists in generating post-secular sensibilities animated by post-racist practices that cultivate amicable civic relationships.
The Restoring of a Prophetic Community
Authors: Grey Jacqueline N.
Published: December 2020

The article discusses the future of global pentecostalism, focusing on the context of Australia. It first explores the self-identification of pentecostalism as a prophetic community in continuity with the narrative of Luke-Acts. In particular, the implications of the Isaianic mission of Jesus and the early church are discussed. The socially transformative nature of this mission includes not only miracles and healing, but also concern for the poor and marginalized. From this foundation, the article secondly addresses issues within contemporary Australian pentecostalism of individualism and self-reliance that are incompatible with the Isaianic vision. It presents, thirdly, a vision for the Australian pentecostal community that moves beyond a preoccupation with personal empowerment of the Spirit to participate with God in bringing healing and justice to the world.
European Pentecostalism
Authors: Frestadius Simo
Published: December 2020

In a global context, numerically European Pentecostals are relatively few. That said, European Pentecostalism has deep native roots and a rich international history. Indeed, this article argues that European Pentecostalism is precisely a modern European Christian movement because of both its European origins and its international ethos. Informed by this historical past, the article proposes that the pentecostal narrative of Acts 2, which celebrates the diversity of cultures and calls peoples to repentance, has the potential to help European culture to navigate its complex past and provide the foundational story for building its multicultural future. This, however, can only be done if European Pentecostals themselves effectively socially embody the message of Pentecost in their local congregations, networks, and institutions.
Cosmography, Cosmology, and Kalām from Samarqand to Istanbul
Authors: Morrison Robert
Published: December 2020

This article argues that astronomers’ discourses about cosmology, specifically their arguments for an ordered cosmos comprised of uniformly revolving orbs, were in a conversation with ʿilm al-kalām during the period under discussion, which is from the end of the fourteenth century through the mid-sixteenth century. In kalām, Taftāzānī’s Sharḥ al-Maqāṣid contended that the astronomers’ views of cosmic order were but a conviction (iʿtiqād) for which there was no demonstration. Mīrim Çelebī’s commentary on the popular astronomy text al-Risāla al-Fatḥiyya noted, however, the theological value of the astronomers’ ordered cosmos. Another astronomer contemporary with Mīrim Çelebī, Bīrjandī, was well-versed in kalām texts and certainly agreed with other astronomers about how the cosmos was ordered. Yet Bīrjandī did not explore the theological ramifications of an ordered cosmos.
Prefatory Note
Authors: Kearney Richard
Published: December 2020

This short piece by Richard Kearney updates for the contemporary conversation the original forward he co-authored with his fellow conference organizer Joseph S. O’Leary. It lays out the themes of the publication of their 1979 Colloquium Heidegger et la question de Dieu. If Heidegger seems to suggest a discussion of theology by engaging Being, which religious tradition pairs with God, he himself was not interested in this correlation. He nevertheless served to open a path for others to follow. Facing up to the crisis of technological alienation, and firmly grounded in the Western tradition’s double belonging to the Hebraic and Hellenic traditions, the contributors of contributors of this original conference take up precisely this task to rethink the question of God.
Heidegger among the Theologians
Authors: Lacoste Jean-Yves
Published: December 2020

In this article, Jean-Yves Lacoste lays out the central moments of Heidegger’s complicated relationship to Christian thinking, from his earliest studies under Carl Braig up to his death in 1976. With careful attention to personal letters, scholarly reviews, conferences, as well as major texts, Lacoste shows that this influence was mostly in one direction: despite the eagerness of theology to engage with Heidegger, Heidegger continually demonstrated reticence to approach theology except strictly on his own terms. The article closes with a retrospective evaluation of the central themes of the original Heidegger et la Question de Dieu volume, which took up this investigation in France in 1979. Despite the fact that its publication predated many of Heidegger’s essential texts on this theme, these essays, in Lacoste’s estimation, remain a “perfectly timeless” resource for those seeking to understand the place of God within phenomenology.
Introductory Note
Authors: Ricoeur Paul
Published: December 2020

The brevity of this note by Paul Ricoeur belies its impact, as a version of the famous challenge he delivered to Heidegger upon his first arrival in France at the Cerisy-la-Salle conference in 1955. Why has Heidegger passed over the Judaic tradition? He pays such close attention to the Greeks and their questioning of being, and yet what about the prophetic tradition and the ethical dimensions it inspires? Are these not an essential part of the Western tradition? Heidegger dismissed Ricoeur’s challenge at the time and never arrived at any answers in his later career. And yet this step is absolutely necessary, claims Ricoeur, if one hopes to rethink the Christian tradition, and indeed, Western philosophy.
How Does “the God” Come into the Philosophy of Heidegger?
Authors: Greisch Jean , Littlejohn M.E. , Rumpza Stephanie
Published: December 2020

In this interview, Jean Greisch discusses the 1979 Colloquium Heidegger et la Question de Dieu, his original contribution to the published volume, and its impact on his later work. Greisch first situates the conference within the reception history of Heidegger as well as the critical advancements of Levinas and Derrida that made such a questioning of God palatable within the French philosophical context. He argues that theological thinking delivers an important challenge to philosophical thinking, and reflects on what such a meeting point could mean. Finally he voices a double challenge to Heidegger, not only in his forgetting of the Hebraic tradition, but his complicity with Nazi antisemitism, while yet advising against a wholesale rejection of Heidegger’s insights.
A new species of Pegasus (Syngnathiformes: Pegasidae) from the South China Sea
Authors: ZHANG RONGRONG , WANG XIN , WAN SHIMING , MA SHAOBO , LIN QIANG
Published: December 2020

A new fish species from the South China Sea, Pegasus nanhaiensis sp. nov., is described herein. The new species is readily distinguished from all other species of the genus Pegasus with the following characteristics: A rounded hump-like tubercle on each of dorsal plates I, II, and III. Noticeable hexagonal patterns on the dorsal carapace with a clear boundary, and two paired caudolateral plates overlapping the junctions between tail rings II and III, and between tail rings IV and V. The integrated evidence from both morphological and genetic studies indicates that P. nanhaiensis represents an independent lineage within the genus Pegasus.
New records of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the United Arab Emirates, with a description of a new species
Authors: SZADZIEWSKI RYSZARD , GWIZDALSKA-KENTZER MARTA
Published: December 2020

Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) are a relatively well-studied family of nematocerous flies (Borkent & Dominiak 2020), but the ceratopogonid fauna of the Middle East is not well known. To date, only 264 species from this family have been recorded in this entire region (Alwin et al. 2016a, b) and just 53 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Szadziewski et al. 2011, Alwin et al. 2016a, b). Here, we report on three species of biting midges new to the fauna of the UAE.
Up-Regulation of Long Non-Coding RNA ZEB2-AS1 in Tissue is Correlated with Tumor Progression and Poor Prognosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Du Jinchen , Chao Dong , Hu Gawei , Ban Yulian , Zhang Bin , Wang Zhangpeng , Li Qingxin
Published: December 2020

Objective: ZEB2-AS1 has been suggested as an oncogene in some types of cancers, and it was also found to be up-regulated in NSCLC tissues compared with corresponding normal lung tissues. However, study on the clinical significance and prognostic value of ZEB2-AS1 in NSCLC is lacking.
Patients and Methods: 129 NSCLC patients who underwent surgery between January 2013 to March 2018 were included in the present study. The Chi-square test was used to investigate the significance of tissue ZEB2-AS1 expression level as correlated with clinicopathologic features. The survival
curves of the NSCLC patients were plotted and analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and the survival rates were compared by the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results : ZEB2-AS1 level was significantly up-regulated
in NSCLC tissues compared with matched adjacent lung tissues (P < 0 001). ZEB2-AS1 expression level was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (P = 0 004), lymph node metastasis (P = 0 003), and TNM stage (P < 0 001). Both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards
model analysis showed that ZEB2-AS1 expression was independently associated with overall survival of patients with NSCLC (univariate analysis: HR = 2.117, 95% CI: 1.092–11.885, P = 0 019, multivariate analysis: HR = 1.925, 95% CI: 1.472–10.663, P = 0 036). Conclusions: Our study
demonstrates that ZEB2-AS1 is up-regulated in NSCLC tissues and its up-regulation is correlated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in NSCLC.
A Study on the Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Tissues
Authors: Zhao Huajie , Li Min , Liu Bili
Published: December 2020

Objective: To assess contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)'s value in the diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer. Methods : 83 breast cancer patients from April 2017 to May 2018 were enrolled and assigned into observation group (triple, n = 39) and control group (non-triple, n = 44).
The diagnostic examinations were performed via CEUS and the features of CEUS were analyzed. Besides, patients in observation group also received magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the diagnostic difference was assessed. Results: Observation group showed a significantly smaller size of focus
after CEUS than control group compared to before CEUS (p < 0 05) with significant difference of focus enhancement and vascular morphology between two groups (p < 0 05). As for focus blood perfusion parameters, no differences were found regarding rise time (RT) and time to peak (TTP)
between the two groups (p > 0 05). However, observation group had significantly higher peak intensity (PI) and wash-in slope (WIS) (p < 0 05). Interestingly, no difference of TNBC diagnosis was observed between CEUS and MRI (p < 0 05). Conclusion: CEUS might be beneficial for screening
of triple negative breast cancer before operations and can be used to monitor the focus blood perfusion in a real-time way.
Protective Effect of Octreotide Against Liver Ischemic Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Authors: Zou Shuangfa , Sun Huiping , Peng Yanhua , Yang Shuo , Yang Jinfeng
Published: December 2020

Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) is an inevitable complication during liver resection and liver transplantation. This study explored the effect of octreotide pretreatment on LIRI in rat model. Thirty male SD rats were included. They were divided into three groups: control group
(sham operation plus saline treatment); ischemia/reperfusion group (IR group, ischemia/reperfusion operation plus saline treatment) and octreotide treatment group (IR + Oct group, ischemia/reperfusion operation plus octreotide treatment). The serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST) were tested to assess
the liver damage in the rats. Light and electron microscopy was used to identify morphological alterations in each group. The expressions of HMGB1, RIP1 and RIP3 were measured by Immunohistochemistry and Western Blot. The levels of AST, ALT in IR group increased significantly (P < 0 05),
and were significantly reduced by Octreotide pretreatment (P < 0 05). Morphology of control group remained grossly normal by transmission electron microscopy. While mitochondrial degeneration, cristae disruption, swelling, rupture was observed in IR group. The microscopic morphology of
liver cells was basically normal and occasionally a small number of mitochondria were a little swelled in pretreatment with octreotide group. The expressions of HMGB1, RIP1 and RIP3 in pretreatment with octreotide were significantly down-regulated compared with those in pretreatment without
octreotide (P < 0 001). The present study suggested that octreotide pretreatment play a protective role in LIRI, due to the decreased necrotizing apoptosis of hepatocytes. The mechanisms underlying these effects may be associated with the inhibition of HMGB1/RIP1/RIP3 necrotizing apoptosis
signals.
Study on Application of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation in Restorative Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury in Mice
Authors: Sun Yang , Jiang Zhongjing , Tang Hao , Xie Jiang
Published: December 2020

The spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to different degrees of injuries in the structure or function of spinal cord caused by different factors. The prevalence rate of SCI in the population under 40 years reaches 80%. SCI causes certain injury to both physiology and psychology of patients.
An important factor leading to SCI is the rupture of nerve fibers. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) have the functions of inducing and supporting hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow. In this study, SCI mouse model was established to assess the effect of BM-MSCs on SCI. A total
of 30 SCI mouse model were established and assigned into transplantation group (15 mice) and control group (15 mice) according to random number table method. The mice in transplantation group were treated with BM-MSCs transplantation at SCI site, while mice in control group were treated with
normal saline at SCI site. The bone marrow pathological changes were measured by HE staining and neural cells were assessed by Pischingert's methylene blue staining along with measuring SRY level by immunohistochemistry. The motor abilities of mice in transplantation group at the 2nd, 4th,
6th and 8th weeks were significantly higher than mice in control group (P < 0 05). A few vacuoles appeared in mice in transplantation group. The number of cells in mouse spinal cord tissues in transplantation group was increased significantly over time, but a large number of vacuoles appeared
in mouse spinal cord tissues in control group with necrosis of a vast amount of nerve fibers (P < 0 05). The number and volume of Nissl bodies in mice in transplantation group was increased significantly at 2 weeks after treatment and degeneration status of nerve cells in transplantation
group was significantly better than control group (P < 0 05). The SRY genes were expressed in transplantation group for a long term but not in control group (P < 0 05). The number of adherent cells increased significantly in transplantation group at 48 hours after treatment. BMMSCs transplantation
can effectively promotes the recovery of SCI mice, indicating that it is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Geographical Characteristics of Raindrop Size Distribution in the Southern Parts of South Korea
Authors: Suh Sung-Ho , Kim Hyeon-Joon , Lee Dong-In , Kim Tae-Hoon
Published: December 2020

This study analyzed the regional characteristics of raindrop size distribution (DSD) in the southern coastal area of South Korea. Data from March 2016 to February 2017 were recorded by four Particle Size Velocity (PARSIVEL) disdrometers installed at intervals of ~20 km from the coastline to inland areas. Within 20 km from the coastline, multiple local maxima in the probability density function (PDF) were observed at mass-weighted mean diameter Dm = 0.6 mm and normalized intercept parameter logNw = 5.2 for stratiform rainfall, but these features were not observed more than 20 km from the coastline. On the basis of mean Dm–logNw values, stratiform rainfall clearly differed between coastal and inland areas. For convective rainfall, there was a linear relationship between Dm and Nw with distance from the coastline. PDF analyses of diurnal variation in DSD confirmed that in spring and autumn multiple local maxima appear in the daytime. The multiple local maxima in Dm and logNw were respectively lower and higher at nighttime than in the daytime in the spring and summer season. These features were highly dependent on the prevailing wind. There was a pattern of increasing A and decreasing b in the radar reflectivity–rainfall rate (Z–R) relationship (Z = ARb) with distance from the coastline, and these features were more pronounced in convective rainfall. These diurnal variabilities were regular in stratiform rainfall, and there were large differences in quantitative precipitation estimation depending on the land or sea breeze in the coastal area.
Using unitarist, pluralist, and radical frames to map the cross-section distribution of employment relations across workplaces: A four-country empirical investigation of patterns and determinants
Authors: Kaufman Bruce E , Barry Michael , Wilkinson Adrian , Lomas Guenther , Gomez Rafael
Published: December 2020

The frames of reference model developed by Fox, and extended by a number of other authors, is arguably the central paradigm framework in the employment/industrial relations field. Despite its importance and popularity, use of frames of reference to structure empirical analysis and develop hypotheses is relatively rare and, to the best of our knowledge, the framework and its key constructs and principles have themselves never been empirically examined with data from a representative cross-section of workplaces using quantitative methods. This article, with the aid of a new four-country (Australia, Canada, UK, and US) survey data set on 7000+ workplaces, initiates this kind of empirical study. The frames of reference distinguish three main types of employment relationships: unitarist, pluralist, radical. We select six attitudinal/behavioral indicators from the data set that distinguish which frame a workplace is in, combine them to form a Relational Quality Index, plot the 7000+ Relational Quality Index observations as four-country frequency distributions, and use different statistical criteria to indicate the relative size of each frame. We next do regression analysis in which the 7000+ workplace Relational Quality Index scores are the dependent variable and construct from the data set 20 frames of reference explanatory variables. As theory predicts, workplaces with stronger common (opposed) interests have better (worse) employer–employee relations.
RNA sequencing identifies transcriptional changes in the rabbit larynx in response to low humidity challenge
Authors: Bailey Taylor W. , dos Santos Andrea Pires , do Nascimento Naila Cannes , Xie Shaojun , Thimmapuram Jyothi , Sivasankar M. Preeti , Cox Abigail
Published: December 2020

Background

Voice disorders are a worldwide problem impacting human health, particularly for occupational voice users. Avoidance of surface dehydration is commonly prescribed as a protective factor against the development of dysphonia. The available literature inconclusively supports this practice and a biological mechanism for how surface dehydration of the laryngeal tissue affects voice has not been described. In this study, we used an in vivo male New Zealand white rabbit model to elucidate biological changes based on gene expression within the vocal folds from surface dehydration. Surface dehydration was induced by exposure to low humidity air (18.6% + 4.3%) for 8 h. Exposure to moderate humidity (43.0% + 4.3%) served as the control condition. Ilumina-based RNA sequencing was performed and used for transcriptome analysis with validation by RT-qPCR.

Results

There were 103 statistically significant differentially expressed genes identified through Cuffdiff with 61 genes meeting significance by both false discovery rate and fold change. Functional annotation enrichment and predicted protein interaction mapping showed enrichment of various loci, including cellular stress and inflammatory response, ciliary function, and keratinocyte development. Eight genes were selected for RT-qPCR validation. Matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12) and macrophage cationic peptide 1 (MCP1) were significantly upregulated and an epithelial chloride channel protein (ECCP) was significantly downregulated after surface dehydration by RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR. Suprabasin (SPBN) and zinc activated cationic channel (ZACN) were marginally, but non-significantly down- and upregulated as evidenced by RT-qPCR, respectively.

Conclusions

The data together support the notion that surface dehydration induces physiological changes in the vocal folds and justifies targeted analysis to further explore the underlying biology of compensatory fluid/ion flux and inflammatory mediators in response to airway surface dehydration.
A reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification for broad coverage detection of Asian and African Zika virus lineages
Authors: Teoh Boon-Teong , Chin Kim-Ling , Samsudin Nur-Izyan , Loong Shih-Keng , Sam Sing-Sin , Tan Kim-Kee , Khor Chee-Sieng , Abd-Jamil Juraina , Zainal Nurhafiza , Wilder-Smith Annelies , Zandi Keivan , AbuBakar Sazaly
Published: December 2020

Background

Early detection of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during the viremia and viruria facilitates proper patient management and mosquito control measurement to prevent disease spread. Therefore, a cost-effective nucleic acid detection method for the diagnosis of ZIKV infection, especially in resource-deficient settings, is highly required.

Methods

In the present study, a single-tube reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed for the detection of both the Asian and African-lineage ZIKV. The detection limit, strain coverage and cross-reactivity of the ZIKV RT-LAMP assay was evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-LAMP were also evaluated using a total of 24 simulated clinical samples. The ZIKV quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was used as the reference assay.

Results

The detection limit of the RT-LAMP assay was 3.73 ZIKV RNA copies (probit analysis,P ≤ 0.05). The RT-LAMP assay detected the ZIKV genomes of both the Asian and African lineages without cross-reacting with other arthropod-borne viruses. The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-LAMP assay were 90% (95% CI = 59.6–98.2) and 100% (95% CI = 78.5–100.0), respectively. The RT-LAMP assay detected ZIKV genome in 9 of 24 (37.5%) of the simulated clinical samples compared to 10 of 24 (41.7%) by qRT-PCR assay with a high level of concordance (κ = 0.913,P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The RT-LAMP assay is applicable for the broad coverage detection of both the Asian and African ZIKV strains in resource-deficient settings.
Genetic association study of interferon lambda 3, CD27, and human leukocyte antigen-DPB1 with dengue severity in Thailand
Authors: Arayasongsak Unchana , Naka Izumi , Ohashi Jun , Patarapotikul Jintana , Nuchnoi Pornlada , Kalambaheti Thareerat , Sa-Ngasang Areerat , Chanama Sumalee , Chaorattanakawee Suwanna
Published: December 2020

Background

Dengue patients develop different disease severity ranging from mild (dengue fever [DF]) to severe forms (dengue hemorrhagic fever [DHF] and the fatal dengue shock syndrome [DSS]). Host genetics are considered to be one factor responsible for the severity of dengue outcomes. To identify genes associated with dengue severity that have not been studied yet, we performed genetic association analyses of interferon lambda 3 (IFNL3), CD27, and human leukocyte antigen-DPB1 (HLA-DPB1) genes in Thai dengue patients.

Methods

A case–control association study was performed in 877 children (age ≤ 15 years) with dengue infection (DF, n = 386; DHF, n = 416; DSS, n = 75). A candidate single nucleotide polymorphism of each of IFNL3, CD27, and HLA-DPB1 was selected to be analyzed. Genotyping was performed by TaqMan real-time PCR assay, and the association with dengue severity was examined.

Results

The rs9277534 variant of HLA-DPB1 was weakly associated with DHF. The genotype GG and G allele conferred protection against DHF (p = 0.04, odds ratio 0.74 for GG genotype, p = 0.03, odds ratio 0.79 for G allele). The association became borderline significant after adjusting for confounders (p = 0.05, odds ratio 0.82). No association was detected for IFNL3 or CD27.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated the weak association of the rs9277534 variant of HLA-DPB1 with protection against DHF. This variant is in the 3′ untranslated region and affects HLA-DPB1 surface protein expression. Our finding suggests that HLA-DPB1 may be involved in DHF pathogenesis.
Maximum chest CT score is associated with progression to severe illness in patients with COVID-19: a retrospective study from Wuhan, China
Authors: Xiao Jianwei , Li Xiang , Xie Yuanliang , Huang Zengfa , Ding Yi , Zhao Shengchao , Yang Pei , Du Dan , Liu Bin , Wang Xiang
Published: December 2020

Background

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a world-wide health crisis. Limited information is available regarding which patients will experience more severe disease symptoms. We evaluated hospitalized patients who were initially diagnosed with moderate COVID-19 for clinical parameters and radiological feature that showed an association with progression to severe/critical symptoms.

Methods

This study, a retrospective single-center study at the Central Hospital of Wuhan, enrolled 243 patients with confirmed COVID­19 pneumonia. Forty of these patients progressed from moderate to severe/critical symptoms during follow up. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between moderate- and severe/critical-type symptoms. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the risk factors associated with symptom progression.

Results

Patients with severe/critical symptoms were older (p < 0.001) and more often male (p = 0.046). A combination of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and high maximum chest computed tomography (CT) score was associated with disease progression. Maximum CT score (> 11) had the greatest predictive value for disease progression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.861 (95% confidence interval: 0.811–0.902).

Conclusions

Maximum CT score and COPD were associated with patient deterioration. Maximum CT score (> 11) was associated with severe illness.
Ambulatory blood pressure is better associated with target organ damage than clinic blood pressure in patients with primary glomerular disease
Authors: Wen Ruo-wei , Chen Xiao-qiu , Zhu Ye , Ke Jian-ting , Du Yi , Wang Cheng , Lou Tan-qi
Published: December 2020

Background

Blood pressure is an important and modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides valuable prognostic information in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet little is known about the association of various types of BP measurements with target organ damage (TOD) in patients with primary glomerular disease. The goal of this study was to investigate whether ambulatory blood pressure is better associated with TOD than clinic blood pressure in patients with primary glomerular disease.

Methods

1178 patients with primary glomerular disease were recruited in this cross-sectional study. TOD were assessed by the following 4 parameters: left ventricular mass index (LVMI or LVH, left ventricular hypertrophy), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR< 60 ml/min/1.73m2), albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR ≥ 30 mg/g) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) or plaque. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between ambulatory or clinic systolic blood pressure (SBP) indexes and TOD.

Results

Among 1178 patients (mean age, 39 years,54% men), 116, 458, 1031 and 251 patients had LVH, eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2, ACR ≥ 30 mg/g and cIMT≥0.9 mm or plaque respectively. Area under ROC curves for TOD in ambulatory SBP, especially nighttime SBP, was greater than that in clinic SBP (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that 24 h SBP, daytime SBP and nighttime SBP were significantly associated with LVH, eGFR< 60 ml/min/1.73m2 and ACR ≥ 30 mg/g after adjustment for clinic SBP, while the association of clinic SBP was attenuated after further adjustment for nighttime SBP.

Conclusions

Ambulatory blood pressure, especially nighttime blood pressure, is probably superior to clinic blood pressure and has a significant association with TOD in primary glomerular disease patients.
Association between maternal cannabis use and birth outcomes: an observational study
Authors: Michalski Camilla A. , Hung Rayjean J. , Seeto Ryan A. , Dennis Cindy-Lee , Brooks Jennifer D. , Henderson Joanna , Levitan Robert , Lye Stephen J. , Matthews Stephen G. , Knight Julia A.
Published: December 2020

Background

As cannabis consumption is increasing globally, including among pregnant women, there is a critical need to understand the effects of cannabis on fetal development and birth outcomes. We had two objectives: to determine 1) the factors associated with self-reported cannabis use in the pre/early-pregnancy period, and 2) whether cannabis use is associated with low birth weight, preterm birth, or small size for gestational age (GA) infants.

Methods

Maternal questionnaire and birth outcome data was gathered from 2229 women and 1778 singleton infants in the Ontario Birth Study, a hospital-based prospective cohort study (2013–2019). Women self-reported cannabis use within 3 months of learning their pregnancy status. Multivariable linear and logistic regression was conducted to 1) identify factors associated with cannabis use, and 2) determine the associations between cannabis use with the selected birth outcomes.

Results

Cannabis use increased in the cohort over time. Women who reported cannabis use (N = 216) were more likely to be younger and more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and prescription pain medication, although most did not. These women had infants born at lower average birth weights and had 2.0 times the odds of being small for GA (95% confidence interval: 1.3, 3.3) after multivariable adjustment for socioeconomic factors and other substance use.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that women who use cannabis around the time of conception have higher odds of having infants that are small for gestational age. Targeted clinical messaging may be most applicable to women actively trying to conceive.
Cardioprotective effects of polydatin against myocardial injury in diabetic rats via inhibition of NADPH oxidase and NF-κB activities
Authors: Tan Ying-Ying , Chen Lei-Xin , Fang Ling , Zhang Qi
Published: December 2020

Background

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a main cause of the increased morbidity in diabetic patients, no effective treatment is available so far. Polydatin, a resveratrol glucoside isolated from thePolygonum cuspidatum, was found by our and others have antioxidant and cardioprotective activities. Therapeutic effects of polydatin on diabetic cardiomyopathy and the possible mechanisms remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the cardioprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of polydatin on myocardial injury induced by hyperglycemia.

Methods

Diabetes in rats was made by high-fat diet combined with multiple low doses of streptozotocin, and then treated with polydatin (100 mg·kg-1·day-1, by gavage) for 8 weeks. Cardiac function was examined by echocardiography. Myocardial tissue and blood samples were collected for histology, protein and metabolic characteristics analysis. In cultured H9c2 cells with 30 mM of glucose, the direct effects of polydatin on myocyte injury were also observed.

Results

In diabetic rats, polydatin administration significantly improved myocardial dysfunction and attenuated histological abnormalities, as evidenced by elevating left ventricular shortening fraction and ejection fraction, as well as reducing cardiac hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. In cultured H9c2 cells, pretreatment of polydatin dose-dependently inhibited high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte injury. Further observation evidenced that polydatin suppressed the increase in the reactive oxygen species levels, NADPH oxidase activity and inflammatory cytokines production induced by hyperglycemia in vivo and in vitro. Polydatin also prevented the increase expression of NOX4, NOX2 and NF-κB in the high glucose -stimulated H9c2 cells and diabetic hearts.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the cardioprotective effect of polydatin against hyperglycemia-induced myocardial injury is mediated by inhibition of NADPH oxidase and NF-κB activity. The findings may provide a novel understanding the mechanisms of the polydatin to be a potential treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Exploring nurses’ perception about the care needs of patients with COVID-19: a qualitative study
Authors: Galehdar Nasrin , Toulabi Tahereh , Kamran Aziz , Heydari Heshmatolah
Published: December 2020

Background

COVID-19 is a new disease affecting and killing a large number of people across the world every day. One way to improve health care for these patients is to recognize their needs. Nurses, as a large population of health care staff, can be rich sources of information and experience on patients’ care needs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore nurses’ perception about the care needs of patients with COVID-19.

Methods

The present qualitative research was performed using the conventional content analysis approach in Iran from March to May 2020. The participants of this study included the nurses caring for patients with COVID-19, recruited by the purpose sampling method. The data was collected through 20 telephone interviews and analyzed based on the method proposed by Lundman and Graneheim.

Results

Qualitative data analysis revealed six main categories including need for psychological consulting, need for quality improvement of services, need for upgrading of information, need for improving of social support, need for spiritual care and need for social welfare.

Conclusion

The data showed that patients with COVID-19 were psychologically, physically, socially, economically, and spiritually affected by the disease. Therefore, they should be comprehensively supported by health care staff and other supportive systems.
Engineering the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle and hydrogen utilization pathway of Ralstonia eutropha for improved autotrophic growth and polyhydroxybutyrate production
Authors: Li Zhongkang , Xin Xiuqing , Xiong Bin , Zhao Dongdong , Zhang Xueli , Bi Changhao
Published: December 2020

Background

CO2 is fixed by all living organisms with an autotrophic metabolism, among which the Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle is the most important and widespread carbon fixation pathway. Thus, studying and engineering the CBB cycle with the associated energy providing pathways to increase the CO2 fixation efficiency of cells is an important subject of biological research with significant application potential.

Results

In this work, the autotrophic microbe Ralstonia eutropha (Cupriavidus necator) was selected as a research platform for CBB cycle optimization engineering. By knocking out either CBB operon genes on the operon or mega-plasmid of R. eutropha, we found that both CBB operons were active and contributed almost equally to the carbon fixation process. With similar knock-out experiments, we found both soluble and membrane-bound hydrogenases (SH and MBH), belonging to the energy providing hydrogenase module, were functional during autotrophic growth of R. eutropha. SH played a more significant role. By introducing a heterologous cyanobacterial RuBisCO with the endogenous GroES/EL chaperone system(A quality control systems for proteins consisting of molecular chaperones and proteases, which prevent protein aggregation by either refolding or degrading misfolded proteins) and RbcX(A chaperone in the folding of Rubisco), the culture OD600 of engineered strain increased 89.2% after 72 h of autotrophic growth, although the difference was decreased at 96 h, indicating cyanobacterial RuBisCO with a higher activity was functional in R. eutropha and lead to improved growth in comparison to the host specific enzyme. Meanwhile, expression of hydrogenases was optimized by modulating the expression of MBH and SH, which could further increase the R. eutropha H16 culture OD600 to 93.4% at 72 h. Moreover, the autotrophic yield of its major industrially relevant product, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), was increased by 99.7%.

Conclusions

To our best knowledge, this is the first report of successfully engineering the CBB pathway and hydrogenases of R. eutropha for improved activity, and is one of only a few cases where the efficiency of CO2 assimilation pathway was improved. Our work demonstrates that R. eutropha is a useful platform for studying and engineering the CBB for applications.
Predictors of oral health-related quality of life in 2–5 year-old children in the South of Iran
Authors: Abbasi-Shavazi Masoumeh , Mansoorian Elham , Jambarsang Sara , Hosseini-Yekani Amene , Rahmanian Vahid
Published: December 2020

Background

Dental and oral diseases can have negative impacts on children’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the children aged 2–5 years old.

Materials and methods

A total number of 288 children aged between 2 and 5 years were selected and stratified by gender from three community health centres located in the city of Jahrom, south of Fars Province, Iran. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability was confirmed. The questionnaire was completed by parents/caregivers of the children. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed with quality of life as the dependent variable and, based on covariance structural analysis, evaluated the goodness of fit of the resulting structural equations models.

Results

The results showed that predisposing factors with a coefficient of 0.0457 (p = 0.015) and reinforcing factors ones with a coefficient of 0.2748 (p < 0.001) were correlated with the oral health behaviours. Moreover, there was a relationship between such behaviours with a coefficient of 0.1612 (p < 0.001) and oral health status and the given status with a coefficient − 0.9714 was correlated with OHRQoL (p < 0.001). Based on the covariance structural analysis, the resulting model was found to exhibit a reasonable goodness of fit.

Conclusion

The predictors of the children’s OHRQoL included predisposing, strengthening, oral health behaviours and oral health status. Therefore, planning to enhance supportive family behaviours and to boost predisposing factors including knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy in parents and their oral health behaviours is recommended.
Phase I trial of dose-escalated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) boost for unfavorable locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Vempati Prashant , Halthore Aditya N. , Teckie Sewit , Rana Zaker , Gogineni Emile , Antone Jeffrey , Zhang Honglai , Marrero Mihaela , Beadle Kristin , Frank Douglas K. , Aziz Mohamed , Paul Doru , Ghaly Maged
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose

Patients with locally advanced oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma have suboptimal outcomes with standard chemoradiation. Here, we evaluated toxicity and oncologic outcomes of dose escalation using radiosurgical boost for patients with unfavorable oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and methods

Between 2010–2017, Thirty four patients with intermediate- or high-risk oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled onto this prospective phase I trial. Each patient received concurrent cisplatin and fractionated radiotherapy totaling 60 Gy or 66 Gy followed by radiosurgery boost to areas of residual gross tumor: single fraction of 8 Gy or 10 Gy, or two fractions of 5 Gy each. Primary endpoint was treatment toxicity. Secondary endpoints were local, regional, and distant disease control.

Results

Eleven, sixteen and seven patients received radiosurgery boost with 8 Gy in 1 fraction, 10 Gy in 1 fraction, and 10 Gy in 2 fractions respectively. Acute toxicities include 4 patients with tumor necrosis causing grade 3 dysphagia, of which 3 developed grade 4 pharyngeal hemorrhage requiring surgical intervention. At 24 months after treatment, 7%, 9%, and 15% had grade 2 dysgeusia, xerostomia, and dysphagia, respectively, and two patients remained feeding tube dependent. No grade 5 toxicities occurred secondary to treatment. Local, regional, and distant control at a median follow up of 4.2 years were 85.3%, 85.3% and 88.2%, respectively. Five patients died resulting in overall survival of 85.3%.

Conclusions

This study is the first to report the use of radiosurgery boost dose escalation in patients with unfavorable oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma. Longer follow-up, larger cohorts, and further refinement of boost methodology are needed prior to implementation in routine clinical practice.

Trial Registration: Northwell Health Protocol #09-309A (NCT02703493) (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02703493)