bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emodin alleviated hyperlipidemia and hepatic lipid metabolism in zebrafish larvae fed a high-cholesterol diet via AMPK/SREBP-2/PCSK9/LDLR signaling pathway
Authors: He Linfeng , Wang Cheng , Zhang Yafang , Guo Chaocheng , Wan Yan , Li Yunxia
Published: August 2021

BackgroundEmodin (EM) is one of bioactive components extracted from Rheum palmatum L. (Dahuang), which possesses numerous pharmacological activities including hypolipidemic effect. However, the potential action of EM on hyperlipidemia (HLP) remains unclear. Here, the theraputic effect of EM against HLP were investigated.MethodsIn this study, the hypolipidemic properties of EM were evaluated using high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-stimulated zebrafish larvae model. The body weight, body length and body mass index (BMI) was measured. The total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as well as the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected by corresponding assay kits. Tg (flil: eGFP) zebrafish were utilized to observe vascular cholesterol accumulation and Tg (mpx: eGFP) zebrafish to visualize and quantify neutrophil inflammation. The hepatic lipid deposition and hepatic histopathology were analyzed by Oil red O staining and H&E staining, respectively. Finally, the underlying mechanism of EM were investigated using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis to assess the gene levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα), sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1).ResultsOur data indicated that EM reduced obesity of zebrafish as evidenced by the decrease in body weight, body length and BMI. EM significantly reduced TC, TG, and LDL-C, and increased HDL-C contents. Moreover, it displayed a prominent inhibitory effect on blood cholesterol accumulation, hepatic lipid accumulation, and neutrophil inflammation in vascular site. Additionally, EM improved the liver function through decreasing ALT and AST levels of zebrafish with HCD-induced hepatosteatosis. Further investigation showed that EM treatment attenuated lipid accumulation via upregulating the expression of AMPKα, LDLR, ABCA1 and ABCG1, and downregulating the expression of SREBP-2, PCSK9 and HMGCR.ConclusionTo conclude, EM alleviated lipid metabolism disorder symptoms caused by HCD via modulating AMPK/SREBP-2/PCSK9/LDLR pathway in larvae, suggesting that EM may be developed into hypolipidmic agent for treating lipid metabolism related diseases.
Are Stories and Anecdotes an Underused Pedagogic Technique in Undergraduate Medicine? A Qualitative Study
Authors: Richardson Cara , Jones Linda
Published: August 2021

Background: Arguably storytelling is a recognised teaching method used in different fields such as teaching children, religion, and culture. Its use in medical teaching is apparent, but little is known of how valuable this method is within medical teaching. This study aimed to explore the perceptions stakeholders have of using stories within teaching and learning at Dundee Medical School. We hope to understand how stories are perceived and to consider how educators might optimise their use. Methods: A qualitative approach allowed for the exploration of participants perceptions of storytelling within medical teaching. Purposive sampling was used to sample medical students and educators. Eleven students participated in one of three group semi-structured interviews and five individual semi-structured interviews with educators took place. The data collected was coded and analysed to reveal themes and sub-themes regarding storytelling at Dundee Medical School. Results: Both stakeholder groups sampled highly valued the use of stories and anecdotes within medical teaching. Whilst both suggested the same purposes, types and impact of stories and identified similar barriers to using storytelling such as confidence and experience. Students were more focused on the importance of the relevance, delivery, and context of where a story was being told for stories to be effective, whilst for faculty, their perceptions didn’t involve these themes. Conclusions: The findings from this small study have provided insight into how storytelling is perceived and developed some recommendations for optimising its use within medical education at Dundee Medical School. This highlights the value of this method to educators and exemplifies the important qualities stories can help to foster amongst students, whilst suggesting a possible theory on how to successfully utilise them.
Inclusion Strategies: A Trampoline Program For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Lourenço Carla , Esteves Dulce
Published: August 2021

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that is characterized by deficits in social, communication, and motor function. Trampoline-based interventions reported to promote motor proficiency in children with ASD to foster the development of coordination, balance and muscle strengthen.Methods: This study examined the effects of two trampoline interventions on the motor skill proficiency, muscle strength of the lower limbs, and body mass index (BMI) of 25 children (aged 6.9 ± 2.3 years) with ASD. The 20-weeks intervention participants (n=6) are in the experimental group A, whereas the 32-week intervention participants (n=8) are in experimental group B. The control group consists of 11 participants who did not receive any intervention constituting.The Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 (BOT-2), the Standing long jump, and BMI assessment were conducted three times for each participant at baseline (T1), middle time of the intervention (T2), and post-intervention (T3).Results: The findings suggest that children in both experimental groups exhibited significant improvements in BOT-2 and the standing long jump after the 20-weekand 32-week of trampoline-based physical activity intervention when compared to the children in the control group. No significant difference was found on BMI before and after the interventions in all three groups. Conclusion: The findings provide supporting evidence that a minimum 20-week trampoline training may be a viable therapeutic option for training children with ASD to improve their motor proficiency.
Underestimated Risk Factor of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, Pulp and Periapical Disease: A National Cohort-Based Study in Korea
Authors: Baek Hyeong-Jin , Lee Hyejin , Lee Jae-Ryun , Park Jung-Hyun , Kim Keun-Suh , Kwoen Min-Jeong , Lee Tae-Yeon , Lee Hyo-Jung , Kim Jin-Woo
Published: August 2021

Background: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is one of the complication of bisphosphonate (BP). Despite being a major risk factor for ONJ, tooth extraction cannot explain all cases of ONJ. However, disease that induce inflammation in the jawbone, such as pulp and periapical disease is underestimated, and studies suggesting relationship are arising. This necessitates the determination of the relationship between ONJ and inflammatory disease, which would contribute to the understanding and treatment of ONJ.Methods: We analyzed the relationship between ONJ and pulp and periapical disease, and caries in women aged over 50 years who were administered BP for over 1 year from 2010 to 2015, based on a nationwide cohort study. ONJ, pulp and periapical disease, and caries were defined according to the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases and Causes of Death-7 and claims data. ONJ was operationally defined into definite ONJ and possible ONJ because of the ambiguity of population-based ONJ diagnosis.Results: Pulp and periapical disease significantly increased ONJ development [hazard ratio 2.21 (95% CI 1.40-3.48) and 2.22 (95% CI 1.65-2.98) in definite ONJ and possible ONJ, respectively]. Additionally, the risk of ONJ development increased when caries addition to pulp and periapical disease [hazard ratio 2.28 (95% 1.50-3.47) and 2.05 (95% 1.55-2.70) in definite ONJ and possible ONJ, respectively]. Nonetheless, those in the caries were not significant. Root canal treatment in most cases did not increase ONJ development significantly, but the pulp and periapical disease or caries significantly increased possible ONJ development [hazard ratio 2.17 (95% CI 1.04-4.52)].Conclusions: It is necessary to focus on pulp and periapical disease resulting in inflammation as a major risk factor for ONJ. Future studies should determine the role of low-grade inflammation for ONJ on other ONJ-inducing drugs as anti-resorptive agents.
Oral Rotavirus Vaccine Shedding as a Marker of Mucosal Immunity
Authors: Lee Benjamin , Kader Abdul , Colgate E. Ross , Carmolli Marya , Dickson Dorothy M. , Diehl Sean A. , Alam Masud , Afreen Sajia , Mychaleckyj Josyf C. , Nayak Uma , Petri William A. , Haque Rashidul , Kirkpatrick Beth D.
Published: August 2021

Rotavirus remains a leading cause of pediatric diarrhea worldwide, in part due to underperformance of currently approved live-attenuated, oral vaccines in low-and-middle income countries (LMIC). Improved immune correlates of protection (CoP) for existing oral vaccines and novel strategies to evaluate the performance of next-generation vaccines are needed. Use of oral vaccines as challenge agents in controlled human infection models is a potential approach to CoP discovery that remains underexplored. In a live-attenuated, oral rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix, GlaxoSmithKline) efficacy trial conducted among infants in Dhaka, Bangladesh, we explored the potential for the second dose of the two-dose series to be considered a challenge agent through which rotavirus immunity could be explored, using fecal virus shedding post-dose 2 as a marker of mucosal immunity. Among 180 vaccinated infants who completed the parent study per protocol, the absence of fecal vaccine shedding following the second dose of Rotarix suggested intestinal mucosal immunity generated by the first dose and a decreased risk of rotavirus diarrhea through 2 years of life (RR 0.616, 95% CI 0.392-0.968). Further development of controlled human infection models for rotavirus, especially in prospective studies with larger sample sizes, may be a promising tool to assess rotavirus vaccine efficacy and CoPs.
Antinuclear Autoimmunity Potentially Makes the Middle-aged and Female with COVID-19 Prone to Severe Progression: A Case-control Study
Authors: Cao Zhen , Zhou Fuling , Zhang Jun , Chen Cheng , Zhao Zhigang , Chen Tielong , Liang Ke , Wu Kaisong , Cheng Zhenshun , Peng Zhiyong , Zhang Yongxi , Xie Conghua , Zhou Yunfeng , Wei Yongchang
Published: August 2021

BackgroundElderliness is known risk factor for severe progression of COVID-19 due to compromised immunity, however aberrant hyperactive immune response including autoimmunity might be responsible for younger patients.Methods162 patients tested with autoimmunological detections were enrolled, and study of “Severe” cases and “Non-severe” controls was retrospectively analyzed. ResultsMultivariable analysis involving antinuclear autoimmunity manifests correlation of disease severity with middle age and attenuates the risk of age older than 65. Middle age (45≤age≤65) and female turn out to be the risk factors after hierarchical cluster analysis, before which however sex was not correlated. We find antinuclear autoimmunity to be strongly correlated with severity for the middle-aged (OR= 21.000, 95% CI 4.893- 90.126, p< 0.001) and female (OR= 16.044, 95% CI 4.717- 54.568, p< 0.001), especially for the middle-aged female (Pearson R= 0.770, p< 0.001). Incidence of symptoms fever and chest distress, and complication myocardial injury are statistically more frequent in patients with positive antinuclear antibody, compared with those negative. Severe patients with positive antinuclear antibody possess significantly shorter onset of symptoms to severity time (p= 0.021), indicating quicker progression, and interestingly, present more incidence (21%) of post-remission aggravation, compared with those negative (6%). ConclusionsThe presence of antinuclear autoimmunity potentially makes COVID-19 prone to severe progression, especially for the middle-aged and female, probably even quicker.
Molecular Mechanism of The Effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction On Ulcerative Colitis Based On Network Pharmacology And Molecular Docking
Authors: Yang Jing , Tang Chao-Tao , Jin Ruiri , Liu Bixia , Wang Peng , Zeng Chunyan , Chen Youxiang
Published: August 2021

Huanglian jiedu decoction (HLJDD) is a heat-clearing and detoxifying agent composed of four kinds of Chinese herbal medicine. Previous studies have shown that HLJDD can improve the inflammatory response of ulcerative colitis (UC) and maintain intestinal barrier function. However, its molecular mechanism is not completely clear. In this study, we verified the bioactive components (BCI) and potential targets of HLJDD in the treatment of UC by means of network pharmacology and molecular docking, and constructed the pharmacological network and PPI network. Then the core genes were enriched by GO and KEGG. Finally, the bioactive components were docked with the key targets to verify the binding ability between them. A total of 54 active components related to UC were identified. Ten genes are considered to be very important to PPI network. Functional analysis showed that these target genes were mainly involved in the regulation of cell response to different stimuli, IL-17 signal pathway and TNF signal pathway. The results of molecular docking showed that the active components of HLJDD had good affinity with Hub gene. This study systematically elucidates the "multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway" mechanism of anti-UC with HLJDD for the first time, suggesting that HLJDD or its active components may be candidate drugs for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Risk factors for the recurrence of relapsing polychondritis
Authors: Yoshida Tsuneyasu , Yoshifuji Hajime , Shirakashi Mirei , Nakakura Akiyoshi , Murakami Kosaku , Kitagori Koji , Akizuki Shuji , Nakashima Ran , Ohmura Koichiro , Morinobu Akio
Published: August 2021

Background

Although the survival rates of relapsing polychondritis (RP) have increased remarkably, the high recurrence rate remains a significant concern for physicians and patients. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the risk factors for RP recurrence.
Methods

Patients with RP who presented to Kyoto University Hospital from January 2000 to March 2020 and fulfilled Damiani's classification criteria were included. Patients were classified into recurrence and non-recurrence groups. Risk factors for RP recurrence were analysed using a Cox proportional hazards model, and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were drawn.
Results

Thirty-four patients were included. Twenty-five patients (74%) experienced 64 recurrences (mean: 2.56 recurrences per patients). The median duration before the first recurrence was 202 [55 − 382] days. The median prednisolone dose at the initial recurrence was 10 [5 − 12.75] mg/day. Tracheal involvement was significantly more frequent in the recurrence group at the initial presentation (44.0% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.0172) than in the non-recurrence group, and pre-treatment C-reactive protein levels were significantly high (4.7 vs 1.15 mg/dL, p = 0.0024). The Cox proportional hazards model analysis revealed that tracheal involvement (HR 4.266 [1.535 − 13.838], p = 0.0048), pre-treatment C-reactive protein level (HR 1.166 [1.040 − 1.308], p = 0.0085), and initial prednisolone monotherapy (HR 4.443 [1.515 − 16.267], p = 0.0056) may be associated with recurrence. The median time before the initial recurrence was significantly longer in patients who received combination therapy with prednisolone and immunosuppressants or biologics (400 vs 70 days, p = 0.0015).
Conclusions

Tracheal involvement, pre-treatment C-reactive protein level, and initial prednisolone monotherapy were risk factors for recurrence in patients with RP. Initial combination therapy with prednisolone and immunosuppressants may delay recurrence.
Prognostic and Clinical Values of Chaperone Protein P4HB in Malignant Glioma
Authors: Sun Stella , Kiang Karrie Mei-Yee , Leung Gilberto Ka-Kit
Published: August 2021

Introduction. Prolyl 4-hydroxylase, beta polypeptide (P4HB) has previously been identified by our group to play important roles in association with glioma malignancy and temozolomide (TMZ) resistance through the unfolded protein response (UPR). The present study focused on the prognostic value of P4HB in glioma. Methods. P4HB expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining and semi-quantified by pathologist visual scoring in 73 WHO grade I-IV gliomas. Results were correlated with clinicopathological data. Results. Our results show that P4HB expression was significantly associated several clinicopathological parameters including age (p=0.035), tumour grade (p=0.002), and the number of TMZ treatment cycles received (p=0.043). Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, P4HB expression was positively correlated with mortality (p=0.014) and disease progression (p=0.026). In patients treated with TMZ, high P4HB expression level was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (OS) (p=0.014) and progression free survival (PFS) (p=0.027). The association between MGMT promoter methylation and P4HB expression was also interrogated. Patients with MGMTMethP4HBLow tumours had the most favourable progression free survival (48 months) than patients with other combination of MGMT methylation status and P4HB expression (log rank p=0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that P4HB was an independent prognostic indicator for OS (p=0.048). Conclusions. P4HB could constitute an independent prognostic marker, especially for high grade glioma with the potential for informing a nuanced pathological stratification during clinical decision-making with respect to MGMT promoter methylation status and TMZ treatment.
Genome-Wide Identification of PEBP Gene Family Members In Potato and Their Phylogenetic Relationships and Expression Patterns Under Heat Stress
Authors: Zhang Guodong , Jin Xin , Li Xiubao , Zhang Ning , Li Shaoqian , Si Huaijun , Rajora Om P. , Li Xiu-Qing
Published: August 2021

The phosphatidy ethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) genes are involved in regulating plant flowering and tuberization. We analyzed both the recently updated, long-reads-based reference genome (DM v6.1) and the previous short-reads-based annotation (PGSC DM v3.4) of the potato reference genome and characterized heat-induced gene expression using RT-PCR and RNA-Seq. Fifteen PEBP genes were identified from DM v6.1 and named StPEBP1 to StPEBP15 based on their chromosomal locations. Six of these genes were not found in the previous annnotation (DM v3.4). The 15 genes could be classified into FT, TFL, MFT, and PEBP-like subfamilies and were located on 6 chromosomes. Most of the StPEBP genes were found to have conserved motifs 1 to 5 similar to Arabidopsis and other plants. We found that heat stress induced opposite expression patterns of certain FT and TFL members in a tissue-specific way: StPEBP14 and StPEBP15 versus StPEBP3 and StPEBP10 in leaves, StPEBP4 versus StPEBP10 in roots, and StPEBP9 versus StPEBP3 in tubers (FT versus TFL respectively). This maintenance of the FT/TFL opposite expression pattern but involving tissue-specific PEBP members may partly explain why different potato organs have different sensitivities to heat stress. Our study provided important multiuse genomic resource, and relevant information and candidate genes for genetic improvement of heat tolerance in potato. It clearly support that the long-reads-based genome assembly and annotation provides a better genomic resource for identification of PEBP and perhaps other genes.
Indigenous Knowledge and Consumer’s Perspectives of Stinging Nettle (Urtica Simensis) in the Central and Southeastern Highlands of Oromia Regional States of Ethiopia
Authors: Shonte Tigist Tadesse , W/Tsadik Kebede
Published: August 2021

Background: Wild plants are essential for increased dietary diversity; for food and nutritional security and as herbal remedies. Stinging nettle, Urtica species, is one of the 20 widely consumed wild plants with cultural importance index ranging from 0.5-1.26 CI in different countries. As in previously conducted wild plants ethnobotanical studies in Ethiopia, the present study reported for the first time the indigenous knowledge and consumer’s perspectives of stinging nettle (Urtica simensis) in the central and southeastern highlands of Oromia regional states of Ethiopia.Methods: Data was collected through informed consent semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, key informant discussions, focus group discussions and tour-guided field observation in 13 districts of three zones (Arsi, Bale and North Shewa) of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Results: The local people gather, where women carries 69.2% of the responsibilities for collecting and cooking, stinging nettle in winter and spring season almost from everywhere with higher preference for road sides followed by homestead boundaries, waste land, field boundaries and agroforestry in order of importance. The factors limiting harvesting, consumption and marketing of stinging nettles could be ranked as cultural barriers (63.1%) > lack of knowledge (26.9%) > stinginess (10%). According to key informants, the local people who gather and cook stinging nettle are commonly referred as the poor and they call stinging nettle crop as a poor man crop. Interestingly, covering hands with cloths and wearing plastic bags were traditional manipulations practiced by the local community to protect themselves from stinging hairs thereby avoiding stinging sensation and collect the young and tender shoots from the plant. The highest use-value indices of stinging nettle plant was in North Shewa zone (UVc = 0.93), followed by Arsi zone (UVc = 0.9), and Bale zone (UVc = 0.63). Its central role in North Shewa (FL = 51.7%) and Arsi zone (FL = 50 %) is as a source of both food and fodder, where as in Bale zone (FL = 33.3%) is as a source of food only. In the study areas stinging nettle sauce is prepared by boiling young nettle leaves and roasted barley powder and then cooled sauce is served with injera. Conclusions: There exists biological security to livelihood of the people in the study areas by consuming stinging nettle to cope up times of food shortage. This result shed light on further research and a needs to popularize, awareness creation, the potential for domestication, value addition and processing for food and nutritional security and wellbeing of consumers.
Comparison of Macroeconomic Developments in Ten Scenarios of Energy System Transformation in Germany – National and Regional Results
Authors: Ulrich Philip , Naegler Tobias , Becker Lisa , Lehr Ulrike , Simon Sonja , Sutardhio Claudia , Weidlich Anke
Published: August 2021

BackgroundMany different strategies have already been proposed for the transformation of the energy system in Germany. To evaluate their sustainability, it is necessary to analyze their macroeconomic and distributional effects. An approach to do this in an integrated and consistent framework is presented here. MethodsThe comparison of ten energy transition scenarios with emission reduction targets by 2050 of 80% or 95%, respectively, allows the evaluation across a broad range of different strategies with respect to the future technology and energy carrier mix. For this purpose, an energy system model and a macroeconometric model are combined, thus re-modeling the unified scenarios. An important extension of the model was concerned with the integration of synthetic fuels into the energy-economy model. One focus besides the overall macroeconomic assessment is the regional analysis. For this purpose, own assumptions on the regional distribution of the expansion of renewable energies were developed. ResultsThe effects on gross domestic product (GDP) and employment are similar in average from 2030 to 2050 between the scenarios, with most of the more ambitious scenarios showing slightly higher results for the socioeconomic variables. Sectorally, employment in the construction sector shows the largest effects in most scenarios, while in the energy sector employment is lower in scenarios with high energy imports. At the regional level, the differences between scenarios are larger than at national level. There is no clear or stable regional pattern of relative loss and profit from very ambitious transformation, as not only RE expansion varies and hydrogen strategies enter the scene approaching 2050.ConclusionsFrom the relatively small differences between the scenarios it can be concluded that, from a macroeconomic perspective, it is not decisive for the overall economy which (supply side) strategy is chosen for the transformation of the energy system. More effort needs to be put into improving assumptions and modeling approaches related to strategies for achieving the final 20% CO2 reduction, for example the increasing use of hydrogen.
The Association between Dietary Inflammation Index and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Americans: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xiang Shate , Wang Yao , Qian Suhai , Jie Li , Yibo Jin , Ding Xinghong , Xu Taotao
Published: August 2021

Background

Studies have shown that personal diet has a certain impact on the development and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the effect of overall dietary structure on RA is still an exploratory issue at present. Dietary inflammation index (DII) is an index that evaluates the inflammatory potential of the total nutrients consumed by human body. Therefore, we studied the correlation between DII and RA in Americans to explore whether the pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects of diet contribute to the risk of RA.
Methods

We used data from the 2005–2017 NHANES database for analysis, including 1819 individuals with RA and 8602 individuals without RA. Among them, DII was calculated by collecting the relevant data of Total Nutrient Intakes, First Day in the database. The analysis was carried out through the comparison between the two groups, including logical regression, multiple regression analysis, smooth curve fitting, recursive algorithm, and independent sample T-test.
Results

After adjusting for other confounding factors, we found that there was a positive correlation between DII and RA in Americans (β = 1.068, 95% CI = 1.026 to 1.111, P = 0.00121). In the subgroup analysis, it was found that characteristics of the participants were younger than 50 years old, female, Other Hispanic, BMI≥25 or federal poverty rate > 185%, there was still a positive association between DII and RA. Compared with non-smokers, the effect between DII and RA of smokers was greater than that of non-smokers. In Other Hispanic, there was an inflection point (K = 1.195). When K > 1.195, the curve gradient increases rapidly. In addition, the intake of energy, protein, dietary fiber, total saturated fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin B6, magnesium, zinc, Niacin, Selenium, iron, and alcohol in individuals with RA was significantly lower than that in those without RA.
Conclusions

The inflammatory potential of diet may increase the risk of onset and development of RA. The risk may be different in different individuals, but it may be a feasible way to prevent and alleviate RA by improving dietary structure, reducing pro-inflammatory food, and increasing anti-inflammatory food intake.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Imported COVID-19 Cases, March to December 2020, Chengdu, China: Implication for Quarantine and Isolation of International Travelers
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Yue Yong , Hu Min , Du Changhui , Wang Cheng , Tuo Xiaoli , Jiang Xiaoman , Fan Shuangfeng , Chen Zhenhua , Chen Heng , Liang Xian , Luan Rongsheng
Published: August 2021

Background: International flights have accelerated the global spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Determination of the optimal quarantine period for international travelers is crucial to prevent the local spread caused by imported COVID-19 cases.Methods: We performed a retrospective epidemiological study using 491 imported COVID-19 cases in Chengdu, China, to describe the characteristic of the cases and estimate the time from arrival to confirmation for international travelers using nonparametric survival methods.Results: Among the 491 imported COVID-19 cases, 194 (39.5%) were asymptomatic infections. The mean age was 35.6 years (SD=12.1 years) and 83.3% were men. The majority (74.1%) were screened positive for SARS-CoV-2, conducted by Chengdu Customs District, the People’s Republic of China. Asymptomatic cases were younger than presymptomatic or symptomatic cases (P<0.01). The daily number of imported COVID-19 cases displayed jagged changes. 95% of COVID-19 cases were confirmed by PT-PCR within 14 days (95% CI: 13-15) after arriving in Chengdu.Conclusions: A 14-day quarantine measure can ensure non-infection among international travelers with a 95% probability. Policymakers may consider an extension of the quarantine period to minimize the negative consequences of the COVID-19 confinement and prevent the international spread of COVID-19.
Cynaropicrin Potentiates the Anti-Tumor Effects of Paclitaxel and 5-Fluorouracil on KYSE30 Human Esophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Nasirzadeh Solmaz , Bahrami Ahmad Reza , Goftari Seyed Navid , Shakeri Abolfazl , Iranshahi Mehrdad , Matin Maryam M.
Published: August 2021

Natural products or their use in combination therapy regimens may reduce side effects of chemotherapy and increase the effectiveness of treatments. The cytotoxic effects of cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Centaurea behen were evaluated for the first time against esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (KYSE30). The synergistic effects of cynaropicrin with paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), conventional chemotherapeutic drugs used for esophageal cancer treatment, were also investigated. MTT results indicated that the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of cynaropicrin on KYSE30 cells after 24, 48 and 72 h were 72, 43 and 28 μM, respectively, which were significantly different from those on normal HDF cells. It was also determined that cynaropicrin could induce the cell death via apoptosis. Our results indicated that cynaropicrin had synergism with both drugs. The best effects of cynaropicrin in combination with paclitaxel were observed at 48 h, in which dose reduction of paclitaxel reached 3 times in IC50. Combination with 5-fluorouracil, resulted in 15 times dose reduction of 5-Fu in IC50 at 24 h. In conclusion cynaropicrin has selective cytotoxic effects on KYSE30 cells and we suggest its use in combination therapies with paclitaxel and 5-Fu, which would reduce the side effects of these conventional treatments.
MicroRNA Profiling Reveals an Abundant ssc-miRNA-148a-3p that Promotes Proliferation and Differentiation during Intramuscular Adipogenesis in Chinese Guizhou Congjiang Pigs Breeds by targeting PPARGC1A
Authors: Tan Lulin , Chen Zhaojun , Teng Mingde , Chen Bin , Xu Houqiang
Published: August 2021

BackgroundIntramuscular fat development is regulated by a series of complicated processes, and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) such as microRNA (miRNA) plays a critical role during intramuscular preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation development in pigs. In present research, we detected the expression profiles of miRNA during different differentiation stages, namely, day 0 (D0), day 4 (D4), and day 8 (D8), of intramuscular preadipocytes from the longissimus dorsi muscle of Chinese Guizhou Congjiang pigs to provide first insights into their potential involvement in intramuscular preadipocyte development. And we investigated the function of miR-148a-3p in adipocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. ResultsA total of 67, 95, and 16 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were detected between D4 and D0, between D8 and D0, and between D8 and D4, respectively. We further characterized the role of miR-148a-3p which was differentially expressed and highest expressed abundance in D0, D4, and D8. To explore the role of miR-148a-3p in porcine intramuscular preadipocyte, miR-148a-3p mimics and inhibitors were used to perform miR-148a-3p overexpression and knockdown, respectively. Overexpression of miRNA-148a-3p increased the number of intramuscular preadipocytes in the S/G2 phase of the cell cycle and decreased the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, it promoted proliferation by regulation of cyclin B, cyclin G1, cyclin D1, CDK2, CDK3, and CDK4 and inhibited apoptosis of intramuscular preadipocyte by regulating the expression of Caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2. Meanwhile, the mimics of miR-148a-3p dramatically promoted intramuscular preadipocyte differentiation and upregulated the expression levels of adipogenic marker genes PPARγ, FASN, FABP4, HSL, APOE, LPL, and CEBPα. Furthermore, miR-148a-3p promoted intramuscular preadipocyte differentiation via restraining the AMPK/ACC/CPT1C signaling pathway. PPARGC1A was identified as a target gene of miR-148a-3p by luciferase activity and western blotting assays. ConclusionOur study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying intramuscular preadipocyte development and identified amount of miRNAs whose regulatory potential will need to be explored in the future. Our results establish that miR-148a-3p promoted adipocyte differentiation by targeting PPARGC1A.
The impact of facilitators and rural immersion on medical student engagement during a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Videoconference workshop.
Authors: Wright Helen , Rowick Alana , Cuesta-Briand Beatriz , Warwick Susannah , Moore Julie , Coleman Mathew
Published: August 2021

Background: Child and adolescent mental health disorders are a major public health problem worldwide therefore medical students need robust child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) training. Facilitators are known to enhance student engagement during CAP education. The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia CAP training is provided locally, supplemented by a multi-site annual VC workshop involving specialists collaborating with facilitators on site. We aimed to investigate how student engagement during a CAP VC workshop is influenced by the presence, role and/or context of facilitators; establish if presenting a clinical case influences student engagement; and explore how immersion at a rural site influences CAP learning.

Methods: All students and facilitators were invited to participate in a semi-structured interviews conducted after the workshop. Purposive sampling was used to select student participants. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Data analysis was inductive, commencing with immersion in the data. Transcripts were then coded, with codes aggregated to categories analysed thematically .

Results: Student engagement during a rural CAP VC workshop is strongly influenced by the physical presence of facilitators, their personality attributes and facilitation skills. Facilitator personality attributes, non-teaching skills and supportive behaviour may have a more significant impact on engagement than clinical expertise. Students perceived they had limited clinical exposure to CAP, contrasting with facilitators who perceived students had sufficient, but unrecognised, exposure.

Conclusions: Facilitator personality attributes, non-teaching skills and supportive behaviours have a significant impact on student engagement and learning. Facilitators can assist students to recognize CAP presentations in patients they encounter, to maximise learning opportunities.
Use of continuous glucose monitoring system in patients with type 2 mellitus diabetic during hemodialysis treatment.
Authors: Hissa Marcelo Rocha Nasser , Hissa Priscilla Nogueira Gomes , Guimarães Sérgio Botelho , Hissa Miguel Nasser
Published: August 2021

Background

Studies highlight the inaccuracy of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for the assessment of glycemic control in dialysis diabetics and suggest the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) as an alternative. Of the CGMs, FreeStyle Libre ® is the most used in worldwide, but there is still no consensus on its use in dialysis.
Method:

A 3-week prospective study was performed with 12 patients comparing capillary and interstitial glucose during dialysis.
Results

Comparing capillary and interstitial measurements, similar values were observed in pre-dialysis in the first week (184.1 ± 69.5 mg/dl and 173.1 ± 78.9 mg/dl, respectively, p = 0.303), in patients with body mass index less than 24.9 kg/m2 (214.2 ± 72.2 mg/dl and 201.3 ± 77.0 mg/dl respectively, p = 0.466), in those dialysis fluid loss less than 2 liters (185.5 ± 82.6 mg/dl and 183.1 ± 94.0 mg/dl respectively and p = 0.805) and in those with hemoglobin greater than 12g/dl (152.0 ± 35, 5 mg/dl and 129.5 ± 47.4 mg/dl respectively, p = 0.016). In the correlation of the capillary measurement with the interstitial sensor, it was observed that the proportions in the Clarke Error Grid of zone A, zone B, zone C, zone D and zone E were 62.5%, 27.1%, 0.0 %, 10.4% and 0.0% respectively and in the Parkes Error Grid in zone A, zone B, zone C, zone D and zone E were 80.6%, 9.7%, 9.7% 0.0% and 0.0%, respectively.
Conclusion

The mean absolute relative difference in dialysis patients is higher than the general population without end-stage renal disease. However, clinical decision-making based on the values measured by the system can be made with a good margin based on the correlation between interstitial and capillary measurements.
The influence of the Samples thickness on the structural and optical properties of Polyvinyl Chloride/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Films: Application in catalytic degradation of methylene blue dye.
Authors: GUEDRI Aimane , ZAABAT Mourad , BOUDINE Boubekeur , HAFDALLAH Abdelkader
Published: August 2021

Considered Technique spin coating of the most important techniques used to prepare thin films because it is easy to use and inexpensive since it is closely dependent on the number of layers deposited. This work aims to study the effect of samples thickness for nanocomposites of polyvinyl chloride doped with zinc oxide nanoparticles on the structural, optical properties, and photocatalytic activities. Nanocomposite films of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) - zinc oxide (ZnO) with a different number of the deposited layers (15, 20, 25, and 30 layers) were synthesized by a sol-gel method (spin coating) using tetrahydrofuran as a solvent, and investigated by various techniques. X-ray diffraction measurements indicated in the case of 15, 20, and 25 layers do not clearly show the presence of diffraction peaks. On the other hand, in the case of 30 layers, the presence of several peaks is observed, which testify to the presence of ZnO crystallites of wurtzite structure in PVC films. The size of the crystallites is almost equal to 32 nm depending on the working conditions. Raman and infrared spectra confirmed the result of X-ray diffraction on the incorporation of ZnO crystallites in the films produced by showing peaks corresponding to the modes of vibration of the crystal lattice of the ZnO doping semiconductor. Optical transmittance spectra have shown that The layers obtained have an optical transmission varying from 75 to 86% in the visible region of the spectrum. The values of the band gap energies, determined from the transmission spectra for the films deposited on glass, vary between 3.45 and 3.94 eV. The Photoluminescence spectra of ZnO/PVC nanocomposites studied revealed a strong ultraviolet and green luminescence, attributed to structural defects in the zinc oxide. The photocatalytic reaction has been shown using MB in the UV irradiation action of films stacked in an MB solution. The result showed that the 30-layer (PVC / ZnO) sample gave an efficiency to remove MB of 79% at 60 min, Similar to other samples which gave a lower efficiency.
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and As in maize (Zea mays L) grown close to mine tailings strongly impacts plant development
Authors: HUERTA ESTHER AURORA RUIZ , Hernández Maria Aurora Armienta , Dubrovsky Joseph G. , Bernal Juan Miguel Gómez
Published: August 2021

Potentially toxic metals and metalloids present in mining residues can affect ecosystems, particularly plant growth and development. In this study we evaluated As and heavy metal (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb) contents in maize (Zea mays L) plants grown in soils collected near (40 m), at intermediate (400 m) and remote (3000 m) distances from mine tailings near Taxco City, Mexico. Soils sampled near and at intermediate sites from the tailings contained high levels of heavy metals which were 3- to 55-fold higher compared to the control samples. The heavy metal and As content in plants reflected the soil contamination being the greatest for most studied elements in root samples followed by stems, leaves, and kernels. Though plants were capable of completing their life cycle and producing the seeds, high bioaccumulation levels had a strong impact on plant development. Abnormalities in the organs like malformations in reproductive structures (tassel and ear), reduction in the phytomer number and the plant height were present. Microscopic studies and morphometric analyses suggest that strongly affected plant growth result from negative and synergistic action of heavy metals and As in soils on cell growth and cell production. This study showed that maize grown near mine tailings accumulates high levels of heavy metals and As which decrease significantly plant yield and could be dangerous if consumed by animals and humans.
Risk Factors Associated With Under-Five Diarrhea and Their Effect on Under-Five Mortality in Rwanda: Secondary Data Analysis of 2014–2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (Rdhs).
Authors: NDIKUBWIMANA Jean Bosco , NGENDAHIMANA Frederic , DUKUNDE Angelique , GATABAZI Evariste , HAKIZIMANA Faustin
Published: August 2021

Aims: Diarrhea claimed to be among the leading cause of childhood mortality in developing countries include Rwanda despite its simple protection measures. The current study intended to elucidate the image of childhood diarrhea and to sort out which strong causes are linked to this phenomenon in Rwanda. Therefore, contribute, on the basis of a quantitative analysis outcome, to good policymaking oriented to the enhancement of the welfare of children in Rwanda and the second target of SDGs of ensuring child survival.Methods: Data were obtained from RDHS2015 in the child’s file. Following the inclusion criteria of having at least one under-five child in a household and that child has full records on her/his diarrhea status during the last two weeks preceding the survey, a total of 7474 children met the criteria and were thus included in the analysis. The selection of variables was guided by Genser B. and colleagues’ theory. Descriptive, and bivariate analyses were performed. Identified variables were statistically associated with childhood diarrhea in Rwanda and were subsequently considered into the multivariate analysis of the strongest causes of childhood diarrhea in Rwanda.Results: The descriptive analysis revealed that among 7474 sampled under-five children, 12.11% have been infected by diarrhea during the two weeks preceding the survey. The bivariate analysis revealed that type of place of residence, mother’s education level, anemia level of the child, type of toilet facility, sharing the toilet with other households, time to get water source, source of drinking water, poverty, child’s age, and main floor material are statistically associated with the prevalence of childhood diarrhea in Rwanda and thus was selected to be predicting childhood diarrhea based on their significance level and confidence interval. The reduced model of binary logistic regression revealed that only being aged below three years, living in a poor family, and uses an improved toilet increases the chances of childhood diarrhea infection. Conclusions: Childhood diarrhea can be effectively managed with reasonable outcomes by strengthening the sanitation system with more focus on rural areas families especially the poorest families; reinforcement of the Ministry of Health, and other related measures to mitigate the identified issues. Also, periodically research is highly needed on all levels of children not only on diarrhea in order to help national level planning in various sectors.
Impact of Active Case Finding on Treatment Outcomes in Adult Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Sterlikov S. А. , Gаlkin V. B. , Mаliev B. M. , Shirokovа А. А. , Khorotetto V. А. , Mаyzhegishevа А. S.
Published: August 2021

The objective:to assess the effect of active finding of tuberculosis cases on the frequency of bacterial excretion, lung tissue destruction, and treatment outcomes.

Subjects and Methods.The characteristics of adult patients (newly detected - new cases and those with relapsed pulmonary tuberculosis) were studied in 2 phases: a) 1,404 cases, including 814 actively found, at detection; b) the outcomes of the completed first course of chemotherapy in 946 patients, including 565 actively detected, registered for treatment in 2017 and 2018. Adjusted relative risk (aOR) and statistical significance of differences were calculated.

Results.Patients detected actively versus those detected by self presentation to a medical unit had a lower level of positive results of smear microscopy (aOR = 2.7;p< 0.01) and lung tissue destruction (aOR = 1.4;p= 0.01), but the level of positive culture was equal (aOR = 0.9;p= 0.6).  Active case finding had no effect on treatment failure rate but if a patient is HIV negative and young, it reduced the risk of death in tuberculosis patients during treatment (aOR = 0.3;p< 0.01). Active case finding, along with no history of previous treatment, negative HIV status, and older age were inversely associated with treatment interruption (aOR = 0.3;p< 0.01).
Assessment of the Impact of Night Shift on Mental Status of Doctors Anesthesiologist-Reanimatologist
Authors: Gorbachev S. V. , Netesin Eugene S. , Gorbachev V. I.
Published: August 2021

To assess the impact of night work on mental condition of the doctors anaesthesiologists held diagnostic testing of 28 anesthesiologists-resuscitators of different ages before and after the night shift using the Schulte test. The study found that the psycho-emotional stress experienced by doctors anesthesiologists in a night (daily) duty, has a significant impact on the efficiency and the degree of adaptability of specialists, which was significantly increased by 16.1 and 5.1 %, leading to the development not only physical but also mental fatigue.