bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anastomotic Leak in Colorectal Cancer Surgery: From Diagnosis to Management or Failure - A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Authors: Rama Nuno , Parente Diana , Silva Cândida , Neves Miguel , Figueiredo Nuno , Alves Paulo , Clara Paulo , Amado Sandra , Lourenço Óscar , Guarino Maria , Rocha Anabela , Castro-Poças Fernando , Pimentel João
Published: February 2021

Background

Anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal resections is a common surgical experience and the most frequent major adverse outcome. Early recognition of AL is critical to reduce mortality. We aim to evaluate the incidence, diagnostic criteria, morbidity, and mortality related with AL.
Methods

This is a cohort, descriptive retrospective, single-centred study of consecutive patients who underwent surgery with a colorectal anastomosis due to colorectal cancer, over a 4-year period (2013–2016).
Results

From 2013 to 2016, a total of 480 patients were included. A total of 37 (7.7%) had an anastomotic leakage. AL was diagnosed after 6.8 days in average (range 2–17), but most frequently on day 5. 25 out of the 37 patients were diagnosed based on clinical criteria, and 12 had a CT scan of the abdomen; 3 (25%) did not show unequivocal signs of AL. From all AL patients, 6 were managed non-operatively. 24 out of 31 patients (64.8%) were submitted to anastomotic takedown and Hartmann-type of procedure. The rate of Clavien-Dindo grade III and IV complications was significantly higher in the AL-patient group (70.2 vs. 7.7%, p < 0.0005). Mortality was higher in the leakage group (21.6% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.0005).
Conclusions

In this study, most patients were diagnosed earlier based on clinical criteria and the remaining patients had an abdomen-pelvic CT scan, with 25% of false negatives and a significant delay in diagnosis. The leakage group had higher morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays and rate of reoperations. Both systematic use of scores in AL diagnosis and early reoperation, may have a positive impact in FTR rate reduction, and for this, additional prospective studies are needed.
RNAi Targeting-STIL Suppresses Cell Growth and Induces Apoptosis of Lung Cancer NCI-H1299 Cells via Inactivation of Akt/SAPK/TAK1 Pathways
Authors: Li Hailong , Niu Rong , Zhang Yi , Song Yanmei , Wang Jing , Yang Yali , Duan Yongqiang , Zhu Xiangdong , Zhang Zhiming , Hu Yonghua
Published: February 2021

Background: Gradually emerged studies demonstrated that SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus (STIL or SIL) is upregulated in multiple kinds of fatal tumors; at present, there is no clean understanding about the role of STIL in lung adenocarcinoma cells. This study aimed to discover the significance of STIL in lung adenocarcinoma, so as to find a potential gene target for diagnosis and therapy. Methods: STIL expression in lung adenocarcinoma tissue and clinical pathological characteristic was analyzed using the online databases, UALCAN and GEPIA. Lentivirus STIL-shRNA was manufactured and transducted into lung adenocarcinoma cells to seek and analyze the effects on tumor phenotype. The cell proliferation was assessed using Cellomics Array Scan imaging assay, and colony-formation assay, respectively. The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry assay. Moreover, the antibody array of PathScan Cancer Phenotype, PathScan stress and apoptosis pathway was used to explore relevant molecular mechanisms following STIL knockdown in NCI-H1299 cells. Results: The clinical pathological characteristic assay showed that STIL is upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues, and this trend was associated with cancer stage1 and histological subtypes. Silencing experiment showed that downregulation of STIL could inhibit cell growth and colony formation, induce cell apoptosis, and a G2 phase arrest effect significantly, and antibody array detection revealed that p-Bad were upregulated, and p-Akt, p-Bad, p-HSP27, p-SAPK/JNK, p-TAK1, Vimentin, CD45, PCNA and Ki-67 were downregulated significantly after STIL silenced in NCI-H1299 cells.Conclusions: In conclusion, STIL is overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma tissues compared with normal lung tissue. Knockdown of STIL could inhibit cell growth and colony formation ability, promote apoptosis via Akt/SAPK/TAK1 signal pathways inactivation.
Mining the TCGA Database for Microenvironment‐Related Genes with Prognostic Value in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Liu Ting , Gong Zheng , Zhang Hong , Wan Yi , Ren Ming-Han , Liu Lili , Wang Bin , Tian Zibin
Published: February 2021

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Previous studies have suggested that the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the development and prognosis of GC. In this study, we aimed to identify genes in tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) that influence the progression and prognosis of GC. MethodsWe used the ESTIMATE algorithm to calculate the scores of the stromal and immune components of the TME in 407 GC samples collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were intersected by a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and analyzed by univariate Cox regression.Further analysis showed the correlation between MCEMP1 and the clinicopathological characteristics of GC patients (clinical stage, distant metastasis) and survival.Then we used Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and CIBERSORT analysis to examine the relationship between MCEMP1 and the TME.ResultsThe analysis revealed that the expression of MCEMP1 was positively correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of GC patients (clinical stage, distant metastasis) and negatively correlated with survival. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated that gene sets in the MCEMP1 high expression group were concentrated mainly in immune-related pathways. CIBERSORT analysis of the proportion of TICs revealed that neutrophils and M2 macrophages were positively correlated with MCEMP1 expression, suggesting that MCEMP1 is responsible for preservation of the immune-dominant status of the TME. ConclusionHigh MCEMP1 expression might be a biomarker of a poor prognosis in GC patients and provide a clue regarding the different statuses of the TME, offering additional insight into therapy for GC.
PD-L1 Expression on Circulating Tumor Cells and Platelets in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Darga Elizabeth P , Dolce Emily M. , Fang Fang , Kidwell Kelley M. , Gersch Christina L. , Kregel Steven , Thomas Dafydd G. , Gill Anoop , Brown Martha E. , Gross Steven , Connelly Mark , Holinstat Michael , Cobain Erin F. , Rae James M. , Hayes Daniel F. , Paoletti Costanza
Published: February 2021

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICPi) is effective in several cancers. Expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on circulating tumor or immune effector cells could provide insights into selection of patients for ICPi. Methods: Whole blood (WB) was collected at serial timepoints from metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and healthy donors for circulating tumor cell (CTC) and platelet PD-L1 analysis using the CellSearch® assay. CTC PD-L1 was considered positive if detected on at least 1% of the cells; platelet PD-L1 was considered positive if ≥100 platelets per CellSearch frame expressed PD-L1. Results: A total of 207 specimens from 124 MBC patients were collected. 52/124 (42%) samples at timepoint-1 (at or close to time of progressive disease) had ≥5 CTC/7.5ml WB. Of those, 21 (40%) had positive CTC PD-L1. In addition, platelet PD-L1 expression was observed in 35/124 (28%) at timepoint-1. Platelet PD-L1 was not detected in more than 70 specimens from 12 healthy donors. Platelet PD-L1 was associated with ≥5 CTC/7.5ml WB (p=0.0002), less likely in patients with higher red blood cell counts (OR=0.72, p<0.001) and a history of smoking tobacco (OR=0.76, p<0.001). Platelet PD-L1 staining was not associated with tumor marker status, recent procedures or treatments, platelet-affecting drugs, or CTC PD-L1 expression. Conclusion: PD-L1 expression was found in MBC patients on both CTC and platelets in an independent fashion. Inter-patient platelet PD-L1 expression was highly heterogeneous suggesting that it is a biological event associated with cancer in some but not all patients. Taken together, our data suggest that CTC and platelet PD-L1 expression could play a role in predicting which patients should receive ICPi and as a pharmacodynamics biomarker during treatment.
Acupuncture in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - Protocol for the Randomized, Multicenter ACUDPN Trial.
Authors: Dietzel Joanna , Hörder Sebastian , Habermann Isabel , Roll Stephanie , Ortiz Miriam , Willich Stefan , Hahn Katrin , Meyer-Hamme Gesa , Hammes Michael , Irnich Dominik , Wortmann Velia , Linde Klaus , Hummelsberg Josef , Wullinger Michael , Nögel Rainer , Schröder Sven , Brinkhaus Benno
Published: February 2021

Background: Acupuncture is used to treat patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy; however, the evidence is unclear. We present the design and methodology of the ACUDPN (ACUpuncture in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy) trial, which investigates the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) symptoms. The aim of this study is to investigate whether acupuncture is effective for the treatment of DPN symptoms.Methods: This study is a two-armed, randomized, controlled, parallel group, open-label, confirmatory, multicenter trial (8-week intervention period plus 16 weeks of follow-up). Physicians in outpatient units in Germany who specialize in acupuncture treatment will treat 110 diabetes type II patients with clinical symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the feet and legs with signs of neuropathy according to nerve conduction testing. The patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of the following two groups: (a) semi-standardized acupuncture plus routine care or (b) routine care alone. Acupuncture will consist of 12 treatments per patient over 8 weeks. The primary outcome will be the overall DPN-related complaints in the extremities after 8 weeks as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Further outcome measures will include DPN-related pain, the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain Impact (DPNPI) scores and nerve conduction parameters of the sural nerve at weeks 8, 16 and 24.Discussion: The results of this trial will be available in 2021 and will help clarify whether acupuncture can be considered effective for the treatment of DPN with regard to the subdimensions of the neuropathic clinical picture.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03755960. Registered on November 19, 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03755960.
Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms for Multi-Syndrome Classification of Neurodegenerative Syndromes
Authors: Lampe Leonie , Niehaus Sebastian , Huppertz Hans-Jürgen , Merola Alberto , Reinelt Janis , Mueller Karsten , Anderl-Straub Sarah , Fassbender Klaus , Fliessbach Klaus , Jahn Holger , Kornhuber Johannes , Lauer Martin , Prudlo Johannes , Schneider Anja , Synofzik Matthis , Danek Adrian , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Otto Markus , Villringer Arno , Egger Karl , Hattingen Elke , Hilker-Roggendorf Rüdiger , Schnitzler Alfons , Südmeyer Martin , Oertel Wolfgang , Kassubek Jan , Höglinger Günther , Schroeter Matthias L.
Published: February 2021

Importance The entry of artificial intelligence into medicine is pending. Several methods have been used for predictions of structured neuroimaging data, yet nobody compared them in this context.Objective Multi-class prediction is key for building computational aid systems for differential diagnosis. We compared support vector machine, random forest, gradient boosting, and deep feed-forward neural networks for the classification of different neurodegenerative syndromes based on structural magnetic resonance imaging.Design, Setting, and Participants Atlas-based volumetry was performed on multi-centric T1weighted MRI data from 940 subjects, i.e. 124 healthy controls and 816 patients with ten different neurodegenerative diseases, leading to a multi-diagnostic multi-class classification task with eleven different classes.Interventions n.a.Main Outcomes and Measures Cohen’s Kappa, Accuracy, and F1-score to assess model performance.Results Over all, the neural network produced both the best performance measures as well as the most robust results. The smaller classes however were better classified by either the ensemble learning methods or the support vector machine, while performance measures for small classes were comparatively low, as expected. Diseases with regionally specific and pronounced atrophy patterns were generally better classified than diseases with wide-spread and rather weak atrophy.Conclusions and Relevance Our study furthermore underlines the necessity of larger data sets but also calls for a careful consideration of different machine learning methods that can handle the type of data and the classification task best.Trial Registration n.a.
Timing and Causes of Death in Severe COVID-19 Patients
Authors: ROQUETAILLADE Charles de , Bredin Swann , Lascarrou Jean-Baptiste , Soumagne Thibaud , Cojocaru Mariana , Chousterman Benjamin Glenn , Leclerc Maxime , Gouhier Albin , Piton Gaël , Pène Frederic , Stoclin Annabelle , Llitjos Jean-François
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Although early identified as a deadly infectious disease, the precise mortality rate of the most severe forms of COVID-19 is a matter of debate. To the best of our knowledge, no study investigated so far, the causes that ultimately led to death as well as the relation between timing and causes of death.Material & Methods: We performed a retrospective study in eight ICU within eight French hospitals. All consecutive adult patients (aged≥ 18 years old) admitted in the ICU with a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and acute respiratory failure were included in the analysis. Causes and timing of death were reported based on medical records. A binomial logistic regression statistical analysis was performed to identify the determinants associated with ICU-mortality.Results: From March 1st, 2020 to April 28th, 287 patients were admitted to ICU for SARS-CoV-2 related acute respiratory failure. COVID-19 related multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS) was the leading cause of death (29%, n=27/93). End-of-life decisions occurred in 25% of patients (n=23/93). Secondary infections-related MODS accounted for 21% of ICU death, with a majority of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Fatal ischemic events (venous or arterial) occurred in 12% of patients. Refractory hypoxemia was a relatively uncommon cause of death and occurred only in 8 cases (9%). Regarding the timing of death, only one death occurred during the first three days of ICU admission. Determinants associated with ICU-mortality in logistic regression were age >65, requirement for vasopressors, renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Conclusion: Our data suggest the existence of a specific pattern of outcome in severe COVID-19 patients compared to severe bacterial and viral pneumonia, consisting in a high proportion of delayed COVID-19 related MODS.
A Phase Ii Dose Escalation Study of Intraarterial (Hepatic) Adult Human Bone Marrow Derived, Cultured, Pooled, Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (Stempeucel®) in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Gupta Pawan Kumar , Chullikana Anoop , Seetharam Raviraja N , Kolkundar Udaykumar , P Shivashankar , Viswanathan Pachaiyappan , Chandrashekar Mithun , Thej Charan , KV Prasanth , Abraham Jijy , Majumdar Anish Sen
Published: February 2021

Background: Alcoholic liver cirrhosis is an end stage alcoholic liver disease with poor prognosis. The definitive treatment of alcoholic liver cirrhosis is orthotopic liver transplantation, which is expensive, requires long term immunosuppression and is limited by supply of organs. Being an unmet medical need, cell therapy is under investigation for alcoholic liver cirrhosis.Aims: This study was designed primarily for assessing the safety and feasibility of administering stempeucel® through the hepatic artery in alcoholic liver cirrhosis and secondarily to assess possible efficacy and dose-response.Methods: Forty patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (18-65 years/Child Pugh class B or C/Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score of minimum 10) were included in 4 groups: 2.5 million cells/kg Body Weight (2.5M Cell) and respective control (2.5M Control); 5 million cells/kg Body Weight (5M Cell) and respective control (5M Control) with 10 patients in each group. Cell groups received stempeucel® administered via hepatic artery by catheterization through femoral artery (Seldinger technique) and Standard Protocol of Care. Control group received Standard Protocol of Care. Patients were followed up at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Safety evaluations included clinical examination, Electrocardiogram and laboratory investigations. Efficacy evaluations included liver function test, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, Child Pugh score, Short Form-36 questionnaire, liver stiffness using Fibroscan (Transient Elastography), and liver volume using Computerized Tomography scan. Results: stempeucel® injection was well tolerated. Common treatment emergent adverse events were in Gastrointestinal disorders, General disorders and administration site conditions and Infections and infestations. Most of the treatment emergent adverse events were unrelated / remotely related to stempeucel®. Thirty serious adverse events occurred in 10 patients (3 in 2.5M Cell, 5 in 5M Cell and one each in control groups). Three patients died due to SAEs: Two in 2.5M and one in 5M Cell group, none were related to stempeucel®. There was no significant difference in efficacy evaluations at 6 months versus baseline compared to control at both the dose levels of stempeucel®. Statistically significant improvement was seen in 2.5M group compared to control group in Short Form-36 score: bodily pain, mental component summary, vitality and social functioning. Conclusions: stempeucel® was safe, well tolerated and subjective improvement in few component scores of Short Form-36 was seen 2.5M cell group.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov: NCT01591200Clinical Trial Registry – India: CTRI/2009/091/000432
Analysis and construction of a competitive endogenous RNA regulatory network of baicalin-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Lan Haifeng , Wang Haiyan , Gao Mi , Zhang Jiahuan , Yi Erkang , Liang Chunxiao , Xiong Xiaoxiao , Chen Xing , Wu Qinghua , Chen Ruikun , Hong Wei
Published: February 2021

Background: Baicalin is an extract from the traditional Chinese herb Scutellaria baicalensis. Recent literature reports have shown the potential of baicalin to treat osteosarcoma (OS). However, the transcriptome-level mechanism of baicalin-mediated antitumor effects in OS has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network involved in baicalin-induced apoptosis of OS cells.Methods: In this study, CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays were used to detect the antitumor effects of baicalin on human OS MG63 cells. Furthermore, whole transcriptome sequencing was employed to establish the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and mRNA profiles.Results: Baicalin could inhibit MG63 cell proliferation and could induce apoptosis. A total of 58 lncRNAs, 31 miRNAs, and 2136 mRNAs in the baicalin-treated MG63 cells were identified as differentially expressed RNAs compared to those in control cells. Of those, 2 lncRNAs, 3 miRNAs, and 18 mRNAs were included in the ceRNA regulatory network. The differentially expressed RNAs were confirmed by using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to identify the target genes and signaling pathways of the aberrantly expressed RNAs.Conclusions: By identifying the ceRNA network, our results provide new information about the possible molecular basis of baicalin, which might be able to be used for OS treatment.
Evaluation of Animal Welfare in Extensive and Intensive Dairy Farms and its Correlation to Infectious Diseases
Authors: Licitra Francesca , Perillo Laura , Antoci Francesco , Piccione Giuseppe , Giannetto Claudia , Salonia Rosario , Monteverde Vincenzo , Cascone Giuseppe
Published: February 2021

Background: The welfare of farm animals has become a growing concern in recent years. This is the first study that assesses dairy cow welfare by the application of an impartial, reproducible, functional check-list based on risk analysis which provides a numerical animal welfare index to each farm. We tested the effect of two different management conditions, housing with free access to pasture and indoor housing, on dairy cows kept in 36 farms and concurrently carried out the evaluation of different infectious diseases. Animal welfare assessment was performed in each farm through the CReNBA’s check-list. Moreover, the prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Chlamydiophila abortus, Neospora caninum, Bovine Herpesvirus specific antibodies IgB and IgE and of Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus was tested in each farm through ELISA serological test. Unpaired t-Test was applied to assess differences among the two experimental groups; while, Kendall’s Tau coefficient (T) was determined to investigate the relationship between studied variables. Results: The result of each area provided an indication of the burden and importance of each of these on the final calculation of the animal welfare value. ELISA was positive with different mean percentages. The application of Unpaired t-Test showed that the intensive housing system group had higher percentages of Bovine Herpesvirus specific antibodies IgB compared to the extensive housing system group. The application of Kendall’s Tau coefficient showed different correlations between studied areas and infectious diseases. Conclusion: The hazard analysis areas assessed farming and management conditions of the farms, but these may have different effects as they are regulated by the animals’ ability to adapt and are therefore less important when establishing the final welfare value. Those farms with the highest prevalence of infections could be associated with a poor level of business management. A proper evaluation of the problems encountered and a more accurate application of the check-list could prevent and control the spread of infections in farms. Our results want to be a contribution in breeding which provides farmers and veterinarians the instruments to improve animal welfare and farm business performance.
Deep Learning Model for Screening Sepsis Using Electrocardiography
Authors: Kwon Joon-myoung , Lee Ye Rang , Jung Min-Seung , Lee Yoon-Ji , Jo Yong-Yeon , Kang Da-Young , Lee Soo Youn , Cho Yong-Hyeon , Shin Jae-Hyun , Ban Jang-Hyeon , Kim Kyung-Hee
Published: February 2021

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction and is a major healthcare burden worldwide. Although sepsis is a medical emergency that requires immediate management, it is difficult to screen the occurrence of sepsis. In this study, we propose an artificial intelligence based on deep learning-based model (DLM) for screening sepsis using electrocardiography (ECG).Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 46,017 patients who admitted to two hospitals. 1,548 and 639 patients underwent sepsis and septic shock. The DLM was developed using 73,727 ECGs of 18,142 patients and internal validation was conducted using 7,774 ECGs of 7,774 patients. Furthermore, we conducted an external validation with 20,101 ECGs of 20,101 patients from another hospital to verify the applicability of the DLM across centers.Results: During the internal and external validation, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of an DLM using 12-lead ECG for screening sepsis were 0.901 (95% confidence interval 0.882–0.920) and 0.863 (0.846–0.879), respectively. During internal and external validation, AUC of an DLM for detecting septic shock were 0.906 (95% CI = 0.877–0.936) and 0.899 (95% CI = 0.872–0.925), respectively. The AUC of the DLM for detecting sepsis using 6-lead and single-lead ECGs were 0.845–0.882. A sensitivity map showed that the QRS complex and T wave was associated with sepsis. Subgroup analysis was conducted using ECGs from 4,609 patients who admitted with infectious disease, The AUC of the DLM for predicting in-hospital mortality was 0.817 (0.793–0.840). There was a significant difference in the prediction score of DLM using ECG according to the presence of infection in the validation dataset (0.277 vs 0.574, p<0.001), including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (0.260 vs 0.725, p=0.018).Conclusions: The DLM demonstrated reasonable performance for screening sepsis using 12-, 6-, and single-lead ECG. The results suggest that sepsis can be screened using not only conventional ECG devices, but also diverse life-type ECG machine employing the DLM, thereby preventing irreversible disease progression and mortality.
Genetics components of rice root architecture and carbon isotopic fractionation parameters: a tracer for breeding in a water saving irrigation management
Authors: Brito Giovani , Concenço Germani , Costa Vladimir Eleodoro , Fagundes Paulo Ricardo Reis , Silva-Filho João Luis , Parfitt José Maria Barbat , Magalhães Ariano , Silva Giovana Tavares , Jardim Thaís Murias , Luccas Nathália Furtado , Scivittaro Walkyria Bueno
Published: February 2021

Phenotyping is the major bottleneck in the effort to develop varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L) suitable for grow under a water saving irrigation management, such as alternate wetting and drying irrigation technique (AWD). In order to analyze if the genotypic variability for carbon isotope discrimination (CID) in rice leaves could be used as a relatively high-throughput tracer to early select superior genotypes highlighting improved root architecture traits when submitted to AWD, a set of twenty varieties grown under semi-natural conditions were submitted to two water irrigation regimes, continuous flooding (CF) and AWD cycles. Coefficients of genetic variance (π2g) obtained for root architecture, micro-morphological and physiological traits were significant for all of them regardless of adopted irrigation system, except to mean root diameter. The three significant principal components (PCs) with eigenvalue > 1, explain the most of the total variation across cycles and water regimes. For most of analyzed traits, the values of heritability coefficients were higher regardless of adopted irrigation management and trait category; for CID, the magnitudes of broad heritability at individual level (greater than 0.80) were similar in the two irrigation techniques, evidencing that the success of selection is independent of irrigation management. The higher CID values after three AWD cycles are associated to varieties with higher total root length and volume. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the potential application of CID as tracer to select root architecture traits in rice when water-saving irrigation management are of concern.
Novel Urinary Glycan Biomarkers Predict Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Multicenter Prospective Study with 5-year Follow up (U-CARE Study 2)
Authors: Mise Koki , Imamura Mariko , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Watanabe Mayu , Higuchi Chigusa , Katayama Akihiro , Miyamoto Satoshi , Uchida Haruhito A. , Nakatsuka Atsuko , Eguchi Jun , Hida Kazuyuki , Nakato Tatsuaki , Tone Atsuhito , Teshigawara Sanae , Matsuoka Takashi , Kamei Shinji , Murakami Kazutoshi , Shimizu Ikki , Miyashita Katsuhiro , Ando Shinichiro , Nunoue Tomokazu , Yoshida Michihiro , Yamada Masao , Shikata Kenichi , Wada Jun
Published: February 2021

BackgroundAlthough various biomarkers predict cardiovascular event (CVE) in patients with diabetes, the relationship of urinary glycan profile with CVE in patients with diabetes remains unclear.MethodsAmong 680 patients with type 2 diabetes, we examined the baseline urinary glycan signals binding to 45 lectins with different specificities. Primary outcome was defined as cardiovascular event including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.ResultsDuring approximately 5-year follow-up period, 62 patients reached the endpoint. Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that urinary glycan signals binding to two lectins were significantly associated with the outcome after adjustment for known indicators of CVE and for false discovery rate, as well as increased model fitness. Hazard ratios for these lectins (+ 1 SD for the glycan index) were: UDA (recognizing glycan: mixture of Man5 to Man9): 1.78 (95% CI: 1.24–2.55, P = 0.002) and Calsepa (High-Man [Man2-6]): 1.56 (1.19–2.04, P = 0.001). Common glycan binding to these lectins was high-mannose type of N-glycans. Moreover, adding glycan index for UDA to a model including known factors of CVE improved the outcome prediction (Difference of Harrel’s C-index: 0.028 [95% CI: 0.001–0.055, P = 0.044], net reclassification improvement at 5-year risk increased by 0.368 [0.045–0.692, P = 0.026], and the Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion decreased from 725.7 to 716.5, and 761.8 to 757.2, respectively).ConclusionsThe urinary excretion of high-mannose glycan may be a valuable marker for predicting CVE in patients with type 2 diabetes, which provide the rationale to explore the mechanism underlying abnormal N-glycosylation in CVE of patients with diabetes.Trial registrationThis study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network in June 26th 2012 (Clinical trial number: UMIN000011525, URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000013482).
Role of Tumor Mutation Burden-related Signatures in the Prognosis and Immune Microenvironment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tang Rong , Liu Xiaomeng , Wang Wei , Hua Jie , Xu Jin , Liang Chen , Meng Qingcai , Liu Jiang , Zhang Bo , Yu Xianjun , Shi Si
Published: February 2021

Background High tumor mutation burden (TMB) has gradually become a sensitive biomarker for predicting the response to immunotherapy in many cancers, including lung, bladder and head and neck cancers. Nonetheless, whether high TMB could predict the response to immunotherapy and prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a classic “cold” tumor, remained obscure. Hence, it is significant to investigate the role of genes related to TMB (TRGs) in PDAC.Methods The transcriptome and mutation data of PDAC was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas-Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (TCGA). Five independent external datasets of PDAC were chosen to validate parts of our results. qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining were also performed to promote the reliability of this study. Results The median overall survival (OS) was significantly increased in TMB_low group compared with the counterpart with higher TMB score after tumor purity adjusted (P = 0.03). 718 differentially expressed TRGs were identified and functionally enriched in some oncogenic pathways. 67 TRGs were associated with OS in PDAC. A prognostic model for the OS was constructed and showed a high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.849). We also found TMB score was associated with multiple immune components and signatures in tumor microenvironment. In addition, we identified a PDAC subgroup featured with TMBlowMSIhigh was associated with prolonged OS and a key molecule, ANKRD55, potentially mediating the survival benefits.Conclusion This study analyzed the biological function, prognosis value, implications for mutation landscape and potential influence on immune microenvironment of TRGs in PDAC, which contributed to get aware of the role of TMB in PDAC. Future studies are expected to investigate how these TRGs regulate the initiation, development or repression of PDAC.
Effect of behavioural interventions on physical activity, weight loss, physical function, health-related quality of life and depression in people with multimorbidity: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Bricca Alessio , Jäger Madalina , Johnston Marie , Zangger Graziella , Harris Lasse K. , Midtgaard Julie , Skou Søren T.
Published: February 2021

Background To investigate the effect of behavioural interventions targeting lifestyle behaviours on physical activity, weight loss, physical function, health-related quality of life and depression in people with multimorbidity and to investigate which Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) are associated with better outcomes.Methods Systematic review of randomised controlled trials targeting lifestyle behaviours in people with multimorbidity following the Cochrane recommendations. Data sources included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and CINAHL up to June 19th, 2020 and screening reference list of Cochrane reviews including people with multimorbidity, ongoing systematic reviews of the MOBILIZE project, the WHO registry and citation tracking of included studies. Meta-analyses using random-effects model to assess the effect of behavioural interventions on physical activity, weight loss, physical function and health-related quality of life and depression. Meta-regression analyses and effectiveness ratios to investigate the impact of pre-specified mediators of effect estimates. Cochrane ‘Risk of Bias Tool’ 2.0 and the GRADE assessment to evaluate the overall quality of evidence.Results Fourteen papers involving 1,378 people. Behavioural interventions had little to no effect on physical activity (standardised mean difference 0.38, 95%CI -0.12 to 0.61 – very low certainty) and the effect on weight loss is uncertain (BMI mean difference -0.17, 95%CI -1.17 to 0.83 – very low certainty) at the end-treatment follow-up (mean duration 23 weeks, SD 15). Small improvements were seen in health-related quality of life (SMD 0.29, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.42 – moderate certainty) and physical function (SMD 0.42, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.73 – low certainty), and moderate improvements were seen for depression symptoms (SMD -0.70, 95%CI -0.98 to -0.42 – moderate certainty). Studies using the BCTs ‘action planning’ and ‘social support (practical)’ reported greater physical activity and weight loss. The effects of behavioural interventions diminished for all the outcomes at long-term follow-ups (mean duration of 36 weeks, SD 15).Conclusions Behavioural interventions targeting lifestyle behaviours improve health-related quality of life and physical function, and reduce depression symptoms, whereas little to no effect was achieved on physical activity and weight loss in people with multimorbidity. However, the evidence for physical activity and weight loss were of low quality and the end-treatment benefits diminished over time.Systematic review protocol Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/r7pm5/
Health-related quality of life among patients with bipolar disorder in rural southwestern Uganda: A hospital based cross sectional study.
Authors: Anyayo Lucas , Ashaba Scholastic , Kaggwa Mark Mohan , Samuel Maling , Nakimuli-Mpungu Etheldreda
Published: February 2021

Background: Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder that alters mood and affects over 55 million people globally with an estimated lifetime prevalence of approximately 0.8 - 1.1%. In Africa, the lifetime prevalence of the bipolar spectrum disorders is slightly lower at 0.1 – 0.6%. Bipolar disorder is ranked the sixth leading cause of disability with high rates of morbidity and mortality and negatively impacts quality of life of those affected. Methods: The aim of the study was to determine the health-related quality of life of patients with bipolar disorder attending a mental health clinic in south western Uganda. We enrolled a consecutive sample of 169 participants and evaluated their health-related quality of life using the medical outcomes health survey short form-36 (SF-36) scale. We used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine associations between quality of life, sociodemographic and clinical factors setting the physical and mental component categories of quality life scale as the main outcome variables. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.23 (12.83) and slightly over half (54.4%) were females. More than half (66.86%) of the participants had poor physical component summary (mean=45.06, SD=8.44) while 81% of the participants had poor mental component summary (mean=41.95, SD=8.45). Poor physical quality of life had a statistically significant association with history of suicidal thoughts (OR=2.75, 95% CI=1.14-6.63, P=0.02), while poor mental quality of life had a statistically significant association with history of suicidal thoughts (OR=3.94, CI=1.22-12.71, P=0.02) and history of psychotic symptoms (OR=2.46, CI=1.07-5.64, P=0.03).Conclusion: The mental and physical quality of life of our participants was poor and history of suicidal thoughts and psychotic symptoms were associated with poor quality of life. There is need to address psychotic symptoms and suicidal thoughts in the management of patients with bipolar disorder to improve health related outcomes and quality of life.
Effect of cyclic wetting-drying on tensile mechanical behavior and microstructure of clay-bearing sandstone
Authors: Guo Pingye , Juan Gu , Yi Su , Wang Jiong , Ding Zhanwen
Published: February 2021

The understanding of the weakening mechanism of tensile strength of rock subjected to cyclic wetting-drying is critical for rock engineering. Tensile strength tests were conducted on a total of 35 sandstone specimens with different wetting-drying cycles. The crack propagation process and acoustic emission characteristics were obtained through a high-speed camera and acoustic emission system. The results indicate that the tensile strength is observably reduced after cyclic wetting-drying, and the extent of the reduction is not only related to the number of wetting-drying cycle, but also closely related to the clay mineral content of the sample. In addition, as the cycles of wetting-drying increase, the effect of each single cycle on tensile strength is getting smaller and smaller until becoming constant. Moreover, the crack initiation and penetration time is prolonged as the number of wetting-dry cycle increases, which indicates that cyclic wetting-drying weakens the rock stiffness and enhances the ductility of sandstone. Meanwhile, the acoustic emission characteristics during the experiment further confirmed this phenomenon. Furthermore, through the analysis of the microstructure and mineral composition of the samples with different wetting-drying cycles, it is concluded that the main weakening mechanisms of sandstones containing clay minerals are frictional reduction, chemical and corrosive deterioration.
Profiling Knowledge Brokers in the Rehabilitation sector across Canada: A descriptive study
Authors: Gaid Dina , Ahmed Sara , Thomas Aliki , Bussières Andre
Published: February 2021

Background: Knowledge brokers (KBs) can help promote the uptake of the latest research evidence into clinical practice. Little is known about who they are, the type of work they do, and their training. Establishing a portrait of Canadian KBs working in the rehabilitation sector may inform health care organizations and knowledge translation specialists on how best to advance KBs practices. The overall goal was to describe the profile of KBs working to promote the uptake of evidence within rehabilitation settings in Canada. Specifically, this study aimed to describe the sociodemographic and professional characteristics, work activities, and training of KBs.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was administered to KBs working in rehabilitation settings across Canada. The survey included 20 questions covering sociodemographic and professional characteristics, work activities, and training opportunities. Response frequency and percentage were calculated for all categorical variables, and the weighted average (WA) for each role was calculated across participants. Descriptive analysis was conducted for all open-ended questions.Results: Of 475 participants accessing the website, 198 completed the survey questionnaire, including 99 clinicians, 35 researchers, and 26 managers. While over two-third of respondents had completed a graduate degree, only 38% reported receiving KBs-related training. The respondents’ primary roles corresponded to a linking agent (WA=1.84), followed by capacity builder (WA=1.76), information manager (WA=1.71), facilitator (WA=1.41), and evaluator (WA=1.32).Conclusions: Many rehabilitation clinicians who self-identify as carrying out roles often attributed to opinion leadership tend to perform closely associated knowledge-brokering activities, targeting their peers as part of their professional occupation. Participants mostly perform linking agents, capacity builder, and information roles.
Automated Essay Scoring Effect on Test Equating Errors in Mixed-format Test
Authors: UYSAL İbrahim , DOĞAN Nuri
Published: February 2021

Scoring constructed-response items can be highly difficult, time-consuming, and costly in practice. Improvements in computer technology have enabled automated scoring of constructed-response items. However, the application of automated scoring without an investigation of test equating can lead to serious problems. The goal of this study was to score the constructed-response items in mixed-format tests automatically with different test/training data rates and to investigate the indirect effect of these scores on test equating compared with human raters. Bidirectional long-short term memory (BLSTM) was selected as the automated scoring method for the best performance. During the test equating process, methods based on classical test theory and item response theory were utilized. In most of the equating methods, errors of the equating resulting from automated scoring were close to the errors occurring in equating processes conducted by human raters. It was concluded that automated scoring can be applied because it is convenient in terms of equating.
Zmiany tempa rozwoju w ontogenezie człowieka i metody jego badania
Authors: Siniarska Anna , Wolański Napoleon
Published: February 2021

Abstrakt w języku polskim nie jest dostępny.
Rozwój genetyki i nauk żywieniowych a działania na rzecz zachowania zdrowia
Authors: Nowicka Grażyna
Published: February 2021

Nutrition is a factor of major importance for health and also for development of diet related disorders. Nowadays there is no doubts that interaction between genes and nutrition plays a key role in health risk prediction and disease prevention. Individual nutritional status is determined not only by food availability but also by genes that control food intake, nutrient absorption and metabolism. On the other hand nutrients can significantly influence different genes expression and metabolic processes. Knowledge of genetic susceptibility to disease will help identify people at enhance risk and their response to diet. The prevalence of the types of genes of interest may differ between populations. The same genotype does not confer the same risk in all populations because of differences in environmental factors and nutritional habits. Therefore, populations should not simply copy each other’s dietary recommendations. Based on genetic and nutritional studies the best way for expression of healthier phenotypes should be found and used to promote health and prevent different diseases development.
Otyłość - ważny problem zdrowotny
Authors: Nowicka Grażyna
Published: February 2021

Obesity affecting more than 30% of adult population has been recognized as a major public health problem. Overweight and obesity generally are caused by unhealthy eating patterns and a lack of physical activity. Managing of obesity and overweight is of paramount importance because of well established relations between excess body mass and different diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and some types of cancer. Guidelines for reducing the risk of obesity and obesity-related disorders by dietary changes, increased physical activity and other lifestyle practices have been prepared by healthcare professionalists. WHO prepared the draft of global strategy on diet, physical activity and health, which should be adopted and developed at regional and national levels. Appropriate public knowledge on relationship between diet, physical activity, obesity and health provides a base for prevention of obesity and obesity related disorders.
Tożsamość i kondycja człowieka
Authors: Grochowska Irena
Published: February 2021

Human aims for internal integrity and unison at all levels of human are identity and all dimensions of human existence. According to Rull integrity is a gift from God, but also a task for everybody, only possible when a human being is open for autotranscendency. Unity of mankind is based on condition. The key word condition means that a human being is not neutral. The conditions indicates limitations and burdens of human being, although more and more frequently modern man tries to deny it, defining by himself who he wants to be and taking the place of God. Modern individualism is a lonely following of traditional utopia of society.

Delsol claims that the most certain thing, which we can say about a man, is the existence of his condition, which acceptance is possible under condition of leaving the theory of ruling. We are not independent from our condition, we can free ourselves from it like we cannot deny the way we look, the condition is like terminal illness. A person’s dignity grows from the wound of finiteness. Greatness of man is about receiving and solving problems, a constant struggle, not owing a panacea for all human problems. A man who rejects reality, wanting to create his own self loses form and falls. To realise about the human condition would mean leaving the possibility of existence, potentiality for act. Human being who does not accept the human condition becomes undefined, he does not know his identity, he is restricted to mass, to biological body, he looks after it, improves it looking for fulfilment. But identity requires defining, one cannot be oneself if one does not know what one should be.
Komórki macierzyste – możliwość ich wykorzystania do regeneracji tkanek
Authors: Nowicka Grażyna
Published: February 2021

Rozwój nauk biologicznych przyczynia się do lepszego poznania procesów związanych z rozwojem i działaniem różnych organizmów, w tym organizmu człowieka, a jednym z efektów postępu naukowego w tym zakresie jest opracowywanie coraz doskonalszych metod diagnozowania i leczenia chorób.

Ostatnio szczególne zainteresowanie wśród naukowców i lekarzy wzbudzają komórki macierzyste. Celem badań komórek macierzystych jest poznanie mechanizmów kierujących procesami tworzenia i rozwoju komórek, tkanek i narządów, a także opracowanie metod ich wykorzystania do regeneracji uszkodzonych tkanek i narządów np. do regeneracji mięśnia sercowego uszkodzonego w czasie zawału lub komórek trzustki, które utraciły zdolność produkcji insuliny (co leży u podstaw rozwoju cukrzycy typu I), komórek nerwowych, które utraciły zdolność syntezy dopaminy (co wiąże się z rozwojem choroby Parkinsona)
Ryby – źródło wielonienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych o kluczowym znaczeniu dla zdrowia: wpływ rtęci na obniżenie ich prozdrowotnego działania
Authors: Nowicka Grażyna
Published: February 2021

Przeszło 30 lat temu zaobserwowano, iż Eskimosi, których dieta opiera się na tłustych rybach morskich, rzadko chorują na choroby układu krążenia takie jak choroba niedokrwienna serca, zawał mięśnia sercowego. Obserwacje te dały początek licznym badaniom epidemiologicznym, klinicznym i doświadczalnym mającym na celu wyjaśnienie tego zjawiska. Obecnie nie ulega wątpliwości, iż ryby będące źródłem niezbędnych nienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych z grupy n-3 (n-3 PUFA) są ważnym składnikiem pożywienia, gdyż zawarte w nich kwasy tłuszczowe istotnie wpływają na szereg przemian metabolicznych i tym samym na ryzyko rozwoju różnych chorób.