bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
m5CPred-SVM: A Novel Method for Predicting m5C Sites of RNA
Authors: Chen Xiao , Xiong Yi , Liu Yinbo , Chen Yuqing , Bi Shoudong , Zhu Xiaolei
Published: October 2020

Background: As one of the most common post-transcriptional modifications (PTCM) in RNA, 5-cytosine-methylation plays important roles in many biological functions such as RNA metabolism and cell fate decision. Through accurate identification of 5-methylcytosine (m5C) sites on RNA, researchers can better understand the exact role of 5-cytosine-methylation in these biological functions. In recent years, computational methods of predicting m5C sites have attracted lots of interests because of its efficiency and low-cost. However, both the accuracy and efficiency of these methods are not satisfactory yet and need further improvement. Results: In this work, we have developed a new computational method, m5CPred-SVM, to identify m5C sites in three species, H. sapiens, M. musculus and A. thaliana. To build this model, we first collected benchmark datasets following three recently published methods. Then, six types of sequence-based features were generated based on RNA segments and the sequential forward feature selection strategy was used to obtain the optimal feature subset. After that, the performance of models based on different learning algorithms were compared, and the model based on the support vector machine provided the highest prediction accuracy. Finally, our proposed method, m5CPred-SVM was compared with several existing methods, and the result showed that m5CPred-SVM offered substantially higher prediction accuracy than previously published methods. It is expected that our method, m5CPred-SVM, can become a useful tool for accurate identification of m5C sites.Conclusion: In this study, by introducing position-specific propensity related features, we built a new model, m5CPred-SVM, to predict RNA m5C sites of three different species. The result shows that our model outperformed the existing state-of-art models. Our model is available for users through a web server at http://zhulab.ahu.edu.cn/m5CPred-SVM.
Nanopolystyrene translocation and fetal deposition after acute lung exposure during late-stage pregnancy
Authors: Fournier Sara B , D’Errico Jeanine N , Adler Derek S , Kollontzi Stamatina , Goedken Michael J , Fabris Laura , Yurkow Edward J , Stapleton Phoebe A
Published: October 2020

Background: Plastic is everywhere. It is used in food packaging, storage containers, electronics, furniture, clothing, and common single-use disposable items. Microplastic and nanoplastic particulates are formed from bulk fragmentation and disintegration of plastic pollution. Plastic particulates have recently been detected in indoor air and remote atmospheric fallout. Due to their small size, microplastic and nanoplastic particulate in the atmosphere can be inhaled and may pose a risk for human health, specifically in susceptible populations. When inhaled, nanosized particles have been shown to translocate across pulmonary cell barriers to secondary organs, including the placenta. However, the potential for maternal-to-fetal translocation of nanosized-plastic particles and the impact of nanoplastic deposition or accumulation on fetal health remain unknown. In this study we investigated whether nanopolystyrene particles can cross the placental barrier and deposit in fetal tissues after maternal pulmonary exposure.Results: Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 20 nm rhodamine-labeled nanopolystyrene beads (2.64 x 1014 particles) via intratracheal instillation on gestational day (GD) 19. Twenty-four hours later on GD 20, maternal and fetal tissues were evaluated using fluorescent optical imaging. Fetal tissues were fixed for particle visualization with hyperspectral microscopy. Using isolated placental perfusion, a known concentration of nanopolystyrene was injected into the uterine artery. Maternal and fetal effluents were collected for 180 minutes and assessed for polystyrene particle concentration. Twenty-four hours after maternal exposure, fetal and placental weights were significantly lower (7% and 8%, respectively) compared with controls. Nanopolystyrene particles were detected in the maternal lung, heart, and spleen. Polystyrene nanoparticles were also observed in the placenta, fetal liver, lungs, heart, kidney, and brain suggesting maternal lung-to-fetal tissue nanoparticle translocation in late stage pregnancy.Conclusion: These studies confirm that maternal pulmonary exposure to nanopolystyrene results in the translocation of plastic particles to placental and fetal tissues and renders the fetoplacental unit vulnerable to adverse effects. These data are vital to the understanding of plastic particulate toxicology and the developmental origins of health and disease.
Medical status of patients presenting for treatment at an Australian dental institute: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Frydrych Agnieszka Monika , Parsons Richard , Kujan Omar
Published: October 2020

Background: Individuals seeking dental treatment often present with medical conditions which may affect dental treatment provision. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of medical conditions and medication use among individuals attending dental clinics at a Western Australian tertiary institution. Methods: This observational study examined the general demographics, medical and social histories of 873 subjects presenting for a general dental examination at a Western Australian Tertiary Institution between March 2018 and February 2019. Individual recruited were those presenting to the clinics either as new patients to the Centre or returning patients after an extended period of absence. Results: Presence of a medical condition was reported by 86% of the participants, with males more commonly affected (p=0.0448). Medication use was noted by 80% of the participants. Cardiovascular disease (37.9%), allergy (32.3%), mental health disorders (29.4%), musculoskeletal (23.0%), endocrine (22.4%) and respiratory disease (17.8%) were the most common conditions identified. Women were significantly more likely to report allergy (p=0.0002) or a mental health condition (p=0.0368). Conclusion: Medical comorbidities are common among individuals presenting for student dental treatment in Western Australia, highlighting the importance of knowledge and teaching of internal medicine and its application to the dental setting.
Novel oxygen saturation imaging endoscopy to assess anastomotic integrity in a porcine ischemia model
Authors: Hasegawa Hiro , Takeshita Nobuyoshi , Ito Masaaki
Published: October 2020

Background: Establishing anastomotic integrity is crucial for avoiding anastomotic complications in colorectal surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of assessing anastomotic integrity using novel oxygen saturation imaging endoscopy in a porcine ischemia model.Methods: In three pigs, a new endoscope system was used to check the mechanical completeness of the anastomosis and capture the tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) images. This technology can derive the StO2 images from the differences in the absorption coefficient in the visible light region between oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin. Bowel perfusion at the proximal rectum was assessed before and after the anastomosis, and one minute and thirty minutes after the ligation of the cranial rectal artery (CRA).Results: The completeness of the anastomoses was confirmed by the absence of air leakage. Intraluminal oxygen saturation imaging was successfully performed in all animals. There was no significant difference in the StO2 level before and after the anastomosis (52.6 ± 2.0 vs. 52.0 ± 2.6; p = 0.76, respectively). The StO2 level of the intestine on the oral side of the anastomosis one minute after the CRA ligation was significantly lower than immediately after the anastomosis (15.9 ± 6.0 vs. 52.0 ± 2.6; p = 0.006, respectively). There was no significant difference in the StO2 level between one minute after and thirty minutes after the CRA ligation (15.9 ± 6.0 vs. 12.1 ± 5.3; p = 0.41, respectively).Conclusion: Novel oxygen saturation imaging endoscopy was safe and feasible to assess the anastomotic integrity in the experimental model.
Improvement of stem cell-derived exosome release efficiency by surface-modified nanoparticles
Authors: Park Dong Jun , Yun Wan Su , Kim Woo Cheol , Park Jeong-Eun , Lee Su Hoon , Ha Sunmok , Choi Jin Sil , Key Jaehong , Seo YoungJoon
Published: October 2020

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent stromal cells that release extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs contain various growth factors and antioxidants that can positively affect the surrounding cells. Nanoscale MSC-derived EVs, such as exosomes, have been developed as bio-stable nano-type materials. However, some issues, such as low yield and difficulty in quantification, limit their use. We hypothesized that enhancing exosome production using nanoparticles would stimulate the release of intracellular molecules. Results: The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of exosome generation by comparing the internalization of surface-modified, positively charged nanoparticles and exosome generation from MSCs. We determined that Rab7, a late endosome and auto-phagosome marker, was increased upon exosome expression and was associated with autophagosome formation. Conclusions: It was concluded that the nanoparticles we developed were transported to the lysosome by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. additionally, entered nanoparticles stimulated that autophagy related factors to release exosome from the MSC. MSC-derived exosomes using nanoparticles may increase exosome yield and enable the discovery of nanoparticle-induced genetic factors.
Clinical Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia diagnosed in a primary care practice in Madrid (Spain)
Authors: Guisado-Clavero Marina , Gil Ana Herrero , Álvarez Marta Pérez , Jurado Marta Castelo , Marinas Ana Herrera , Ruiz Vanesa Aguilar , Iarrondo Ileana Gefaell , Menéndez Miguel , Ares-Blanco Sara
Published: October 2020

Background: Possible cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were diagnosed in primary care in Madrid, some of these cases had pneumonia. Most of the SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia published data came from hospitalised patients. This study set out to describe clinical characteristics of patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia diagnosed in primary care across age groups and type of pneumonia.Methods: Observational retrospective study obtaining clinical data from the electronic health records of patients who were followed-up by SARS-CoV-2 possible infection in a primary care practice in Madrid. All the cases were collected by in-person or remote consultation during the 10th March to the 7th of April. Exposure: Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia by chest X-ray ordered by the GP. Main outcomes and measures: Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, physical examination and diagnostic tests as a blood test, nasopharyngeal swab results for RT-PCR (Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) and chest X-ray results. Results: The overall SARS-CoV-2 pneumonias collected were 172 (female 87 [50.6%], mean age 60.5 years (standard deviation [SD] 17.0). Comorbidities were body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2 (90 [52.3%]), hypertension 83 [48.3%]), dyslipidaemia (68 [39.5%]) and diabetes (33 [19.2%]). The sample was stratified by age groups (<50 years, 50-75 years and ≥75 years). Clinical manifestations at onset were fever (144 [83.7%]), cough (140 [81.4%]), dyspnoea (103 [59.9%]) and gastrointestinal disturbances (72 [41.9%]). Day 7.8 (SD:4.1) from clinical onset was the mean day of pneumonia diagnosis. Bilateral pneumonia was more prevalent than unilateral (126 [73.3%]) and 46 [26.7%]). Patients with unilateral pneumonia were prone to higher pulse oximetry (96% vs 94%, p <0.001). We found differences between unilateral and bilateral cases in C-reactive protein (29.6 vs 81.5mg/L, p <0.001), and lymphocytes (1400.0 vs 1000.0E3/ml, p<0.001). Complications were registered: 42 (100%) of patients ≥75 years were admitted into hospital; pulmonary embolism was only present at bilateral pneumonia (7 patients [5.6%]) and death occurred in 1 patient with unilateral pneumonia (2.2%) vs 10 patients (7.9%) with bilateral pneumonia ( p 0.170).Conclusion: Clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were fever, cough and dyspnoea; this was especially clear in the elderly. We described different characteristics between unilateral and bilateral pneumonia.
Characteristics and outcomes of frail patients with suspected infection in intensive care units: a descriptive analysis from a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Komori Akira , Abe Toshikazu , Yamakawa Kazuma , Ogura Hiroshi , Kushimoto Shigeki , Saitoh Daizoh , Fujishima Seitaro , Otomo Yasuhiro , Kotani Joji , Sakamoto Yuichiro , Sasaki Junichi , Shiino Yasukazu , Takeyama Naoshi , Tarui Takehiko , Tsuruta Ryosuke , Nakada Taka-aki , Hifumi Toru , Iriyama Hiroki , Naito Toshio , Gando Satoshi
Published: October 2020

Background: Frailty is associated with morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). However, the characteristics of frail patients with suspected infection remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of frail patients with suspected infection in ICUs. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter cohort study, including 22 ICUs in Japan. Adult patients (aged ≥16 years) with newly suspected infection from December 2017 to May 2018 were included. We compared baseline patient characteristics and outcomes among three frailty groups based on the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score: fit (score, 1–3), vulnerable (score, 4), and frail (score, 5–9). We conducted subgroup analysis of patients with sepsis defined as per Sepsis-3 criteria. We also produced Kaplan–Meier survival curves for 90-day survival.Results: We enrolled 650 patients with suspected infection, including 599 (92.2%) patients with sepsis. Patients with a median CFS score of 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 3–5) were included: 337 (51.8%) were fit, 109 (16.8%) were vulnerable, and 204 (31.4%) were frail. The median patient age was 72 years (IQR 60−81). The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores for fit, vulnerable, and frail patients were 7 (IQR 4–10), 8 (IQR 5–11), and 7 (IQR 5–10), respectively (p = 0.59). The median body temperatures of fit, vulnerable, and frail patients were 37.5°C (IQR 36.5°C–38.5°C), 37.5°C (IQR 36.4°C–38.6°C), and 37.0°C (IQR 36.3°C–38.1°C), respectively (p < 0.01). The median C-reactive protein levels of fit, vulnerable, and frail patients were 13.6 (IQR 4.6–24.5), 12.1 (IQR 3.9–24.9), 10.5 (IQR 3.0–21.0) mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.01). In-hospital mortality did not statistically differ among the patients according to frailty (p = 0.19). Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed little difference in the mortality rate during short-term. However, more vulnerable and frail patients died after 30-day than fit patients; this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.25). Compared with the fit and vulnerable groups, the rate of home discharge was lower in the frail group.Conclusion: Frail and vulnerable patients with suspected infection tend to have poor disease outcomes. However, they did not have a statistically significant increased 90-day mortality risk.
MassARRAY multigene screening combined with LDL-C and sdLDL-C detection for more favorable outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus therapy
Authors: Tian Yong , Wang Junhong , Liu Yanxiao , Luo Xiangguang , Yao Ziying , Xu Cheng , Zhao Xiaoyu
Published: October 2020

Background: To determine the clinical value of multigene polymorphisms, LDL-C and sdLDL-C on T2DM therapy.Methods: In total, 352 T2DM patients before and after treatment and 48 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. LDL-C and sdLDL-C were detected in 352 T2DM patients and 48 healthy individuals by Quantimetrix Lipoprint System. The 11 gene polymorphisms—HTR3B (rs2276307, A>G), APOE (rs7412, c.526C>T), APOE (rs429358, c.388T>C), CYP2C9*3 (rs1057910, c.1075A>C), KIF6 (rs20455, c.2155T>C), HMGCR (rs17238540, T>G), HMGCR (rs17244841, A>T), ABCB1 (rs2032582, c.2677G > T/A), HTR7 (rs1935349, C>T), SLCO1B1 (rs4149056, c.521T>C), and CETP (rs708272, G>A)—were screened in these 352 T2DM patients by the Agena Bioscience MassARRAY system before therapy.Results: Genetic polymorphisms associated with T2DM and statin effects in pretreatment patients were detected, then results showed that all 11 genes had heterozygous mutation, and 7 genes had homozygous mutation in 352 T2DM patients, more specifically reflected that these gene polymorphisms were common in Chinese T2DM patients. LDL-C and sdLDL-C were detected before and after treatment, sdLDL mainly existed in T2DM patients, and T2DM patients had higher mean levels of sdLDL-C than healthy people. After pharmacotherapy, the coincidence rates of decreases in LDL-C and sdLDL-C levels were 88.35% (311/352) and 84.09% (296/352), consistent with patients in remission.Conclusions: Gene polymorphisms related to pharmacotherapy were common in Chinese T2DM patients. And the expression of LDL-C and sdLDL-C was consistent with the T2DM disease course. Combined multigene screening before therapy and LDL-C and sdLDL-C detection before and after therapy could better assist T2DM treatment.
Characteristics of hepatic solitary necrotic nodules on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
Authors: Lu Chunyu , Tang Shaoshan , Zhang Xiaoyue , Wang Yang , Wang Kaiming , Shen Peng
Published: October 2020

Background:To summarize the characteristics of solitary necrotic nodules (SNN) in the liver observed under contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS).Methods:Conventional ultrasonography (US) and CEUS were performed in 24 patients who were confirmed to have SNN by pathological assessment. The US data and dynamic enhancement patterns of CEUS were recorded and retrospectively analyzed.Results:All patients underwent CEUS, and of these, 10 patients underwent surgical resection, while 14 patients underwent a puncture biopsy to confirm SNN. Among the 24 patients, 13 patients had a single lesion and 11 patients had multiple lesions，the largest lesion was selected for CEUS examination. Eleven patients presented no enhancement in all three phases, while the other 13 patients presented with a peripheral thin rim-like enhancement in the arterial phase, an iso-enhancement in the portal phase and delayed phase, and no enhancement in the interior of the lesions. Conclusions:SNN has characteristic findings on the CEUS, which play an important role in the differential diagnoses of liver focal lesions.
Trends and correlates of sexually transmitted infections among sexually active Ugandan female youths: evidence from three demographic and health surveys, 2006-2016
Authors: Masanja Veronicah , Wafula Solomon Tsebeni , Ssekamatte Tonny , Isunju John Bosco , Mugambe Richard K , Hal Guido Van
Published: October 2020

Background: Female adolescents and young women have the highest risk of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally. Data on the prevalence of STIs among young women in Uganda are limited. In this study, we investigated the time trends and correlates of STIs among adolescent girls and young women (15-24 years) in Uganda. Methods: We estimated the percentage of women 15-24 years from three recent consecutive Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys (2006, 2011, and 2016), who reported acquiring an STI within 12 months of the studies and examined the changes over time. A pooled multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the correlates of reporting an STI in the last 12 months preceding the study. Svyset command in Stata was used to cater for the survey sample design.Results: The pooled self-reported STI prevalence was 26.0%. Among these young women, 22.0%, 36.3%, and 23.1% reported a sexually transmitted infection in 2006, 2011, and 2016 respectively. Between 2006 and 2011, there was evidence of change (+14.3%, p < 0.001) in STI prevalence before a significant reduction (-12.0%, p<0.001). Youths aged 20-24 years reported a higher STI prevalence (27.3%) compared to young participants (23.6%). Correlates of reporting an STI among rural and urban young women were: having multiple total lifetime partners (adjusted odds ratio (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4-1.6), being sexually active in the last 4 weeks (aOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6), and being affiliated to Muslim faith (aOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6) or other religions (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9) as compared to Christian were more likely to report an STI. Living in Northern Uganda compared to living in Kampala city was found protective against STIs (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.7).Conclusion: The prevalence of STIs was high among female youths, 15-24 years. This highlights the need for a comprehensive STIs screening, surveillance, and treatment programme to potentially reduce the burden of STIs in the country.
Research on intelligent medical big data system based on Hadoop and blockchain
Authors: Zhang Xiangfeng , Wang Yanmei
Published: October 2020

In order to improve the intelligence of the medical system, this paper designs and implements a secure medical big data ecosystem on top of the Hadoop big data platform. It is designed against the background of the increasingly serious trend of the current security medical big data ecosystem. In order to improve the efficiency of traditional medical rehabilitation activities and enable patients to maximize their understanding of their treatment status, this paper designs a personalized health information system that allows patient users to understand their treatment and rehabilitation status anytime and anywhere, and all medical health data Distributed in different independent medical institutions to ensure that these data are stored independently. As a distributed accounting technology for multi-party maintenance and backup information security, blockchain is a good breakthrough point for innovation in medical data sharing. In this paper, the system realizes the personal health data centre on the Hadoop big data platform, and the original distributed data is stored and analysed centrally through the data synchronization module and the independent data acquisition system. Utilizing the advantages of the Hadoop big data platform, the personalized health information system for stroke has designed to provide personalized health management services for patients and facilitate the management of patients by medical staff.
Controlled fracture of medial wall versus structural autograft with bulk femoral head to increase cup coverage by host bone for total hip arthroplasty in osteoarthritis secondary to developmental dysplasia of hip: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mou Ping , Liao Kai , Chen Hui-Lin , Yang Jing
Published: October 2020

Background: Many methods have been proposed to increase cup coverage by host bone during primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in hip osteoarthritis secondary to developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH). However, there was no study comparing results of controlled fracture of medial wall with structural autograft with bulk femoral head. Methods: 67 hips classified as Crowe II/III were retrospectively included in this cohort study, which consisted of 33 controlled fracture (group A) and 34 structural autograft (group B). The Harris Hip Scores (HHS) was recorded. The radiological assessments were analyzed. Also, complications are assessed. The paired sample t test was used for data analysis before and after operation, while independent sample T test was used for the comparison between the two groups. The Pearson chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used to analyze the qualitative comparative parameters. Kaplan-Meier was utilized in the analysis of survivorship with the end points as a revision for any component.Results: All patients were reconstructed acetabulum at anatomical location. HHS increased greatly for both groups (P=0.18). No statistic difference was observed for two groups in postoperative leg-length discrepancy ((0.51±0.29) cm for group A and (0.46±0.39) cm for group B, P=0.64 ), postoperative height of hip center ((2.25±0.42) cm for group A and (2.09±0.31) cm for group B, P=0.13), inclination of cup ((39±4)°for group A and (38±3)°for group B, P=0.65 ). The rate of cup coverage for group B ((94±2)% ) was better than group A ((91±5)%), ( P=.009). Rate of cup protrusio was (48±4)% for group A. For both groups, No statistic difference was observed in cup diameter (P＞.05), while group A showed less operation time than group B (P＜.001). No complications were observed at the latest follow-up. Conclusion: Controlled fracture of medial wall to increase cup coverage by host bone at anatomical location can act as an alternative technique for DDH Crowe II/III with advantage of shorter operation time and less technically demanding.
Under fire –simultaneous volatilome and transcriptome analysis unravels fine-scale responses of tansy chemotypes to dual herbivore attack
Authors: Clancy Mary V. , Haberer Georg , Jud Werner , Niederbacher Bishu , Niederbacher Simon , Senft Matthias , Zytynska Sharon , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Schnitzler Jörg-Peter
Published: October 2020

BackgroundTansy plants (Tanacetum vulgare L.) are known for their high intraspecific chemical variation, especially of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the terpenoid compound group. These VOCs are closely involved in plant-insect interactions and, when profiled, can be used to classify plants into groups known as chemotypes. Tansy chemotypes have been shown to influence plant-aphid interactions, however, to date no information is available on the response of different tansy chemotypes to simultaneous herbivory by more than one insect species.ResultsUsing a multi-cuvette system, we investigated the responses of five tansy chemotypes to feeding by sucking and/or chewing herbivores (aphids and caterpillars; Metopeurum fuscoviride Stroyan and Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval). Herbivory by caterpillars following aphid infestation led to a plant chemotype-specific change in the patterns of terpenoids stored in trichome hairs and in VOC emissions. The transcriptomic analysis of a plant chemotype represents the first de novo assembly of a transcriptome in tansy and demonstrates priming effects of aphids on a subsequent herbivory. Overall, we show that the five chemotypes do not react in the same way to the two herbivores. As expected, we found that caterpillar feeding increased VOC emissions, however, a priori aphid infestation only led to a further increase in VOC emissions for some chemotypes.ConclusionsWe were able to show that different chemotypes respond to the double herbivore attack in different ways, and that pre-treatment with aphids had a priming effect on plants when they were subsequently exposed to a chewing herbivore. If neighbouring chemotypes in a field population react differently to herbivory/dual herbivory, this could possibly have effects from the individual level to the group level. Individuals of some chemotypes may respond more efficiently to herbivory stress than others, and in a group environment these "louder" chemotypes may affect the local insect community, including the natural enemies of herbivores, and other neighbouring plants.
Early visual quality outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction surgery for correcting high myopic astigmatism
Authors: Hou Xiangtao , Wen Dan , Du Kaixuan , Hu Shengfa , Hu Tu , Li Chenling , Tang Yanhui , Wu Xiaoying
Published: October 2020

Background: To evaluate early optical quality outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery for correcting high myopic astigmatism.Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 55 eyes from 37 patients who had preoperative myopic astigmatism of ≥2.00 diopters (D) who had been treated with SMILE surgery. Preoperatively, the mean cylinder was -2.41 ± 0.54 D (range, -2.00 D to -4.50 D). The preoperative and postoperative visual outcomes, refraction, and higher-order aberration (HOA) at 1 and 3 months were compared. Refractive astigmatism changes were analyzed by the Alpins vector method.Results: Three months after SMILE surgery, the average cylinder was -0.14 ± 0.31 D, and the average astigmatism vector was -0.09 D × 6.34°. The angle of error (AofE) was limited to within ±10°, and the magnitude of error was limited to within ±1.0 D in all patients. The correction index (CI) was 0.98 ± 0.07, the index of success (IOS) was 0.08 ± 0.13, and the flattening index (FI) was 0.97 ± 0.07. Significant positive correlations were found between IOS and |AofE| (P = 0.000); negative correlations were found between FI and |AofE| (P = 0.000). The postoperative total HOA, spherical aberration, vertical coma aberration, and trefoil 30° were increased significantly compared with preoperative measurements, and the increase in HOA was closely related to preoperative astigmatism (P < 0.05).Conclusions: SMILE has preferable outcomes for correcting high myopic astigmatism. Axis rotation during the surgery might influence the undercorrection of astigmatism. The increase of HOA after surgery is related to preoperative astigmatism.
Why Market Orientation Matters for Agriculture and Fishery Workers? Unravelling the Association between Households’ Occupational Background and Caloric Deprivation in India.
Authors: Kumar Smita , Rajpal Sunil , Lu Shiau-Yun , Joe William
Published: October 2020

Background: Developmental policies in low- and middle-income countries poses immense potential within the agriculture sectors to escalate economic growth and development. As almost one-half of the workforces continue to be engaged in agriculture and allied activities with a lower economic contribution, realizing such potential however requires tremendous scaling up of skill development activities in the sector. Investing in skill development of workers engaged in agricultural and allied activities can potentially display notable value additions, income generation and therefore reductions in widespread deprivations in the form of food insecurity and undernutrition. Further with the direct link between nutrition and productivity, economic gains, it is further imperative to impart market exposure among subsistence and unskilled workers. This study therefore empirically investigates the association between households’ primary occupation and caloric deprivation in India. In particular, in a multivariate and multilevel framework, we identified how closely primary occupation of households explain the variation in caloric deprivation in India. Methods: Therefore, drawing upon data from 68th round (2011-12) of nationally representative cross-sectional Household Consumer Expenditure Survey (HCES) of National Sample Survey (NSS), Government of India, we examined the statistical and econometric association between occupational backgrounds of households and caloric deprivation (average caloric consumption as well as low calorie intake) among Indian households. Results: Evidences show that agricultural and fishery labor households have lowest calorie intake (2086 kcal) across all the occupational groups. However, market oriented skilled agricultural and fishery workers’ (2261 kcal – rural, 2165 kcal - urban) have higher calorie intakes than those belonging to subsistence agricultural (2165 kcal – rural, 2149 kcal - urban). Further, the multilevel logistic regression estimates suggest that in rural areas, households engaged in skilled agricultural and fishery works have significantly (at 5% level) lower odds ratio (OR: 0.72, with 95% CI: 0.63; 0.82) of having insufficient calorie intake compared to the unskilled agricultural and fishery laborer households. Estimates from variance partitioning based on multilevel logistic regression models suggest that the households’ occupational group accounts for 7 to 14 percent of total variation in calorie consumption.Conclusion: These insights when combined with the occupation-specific random-effects suggests that investing in skill development of agricultural and fishery workers may have immense potential to strengthen their income generation capacity and to reduce deprivation levels.
Prediction of enhancer-promoter interactions using the cross-cell information and domain adversarial neural network
Authors: Jing Fang , Zhang Shao-Wu , Zhang Shihua
Published: October 2020

Background: Enhancer-promoter interactions (EPIs) play key roles in transcriptional regulation and disease progression. Although several computational methods have been developed to predict such interactions, their performances are not satisfactory when training and testing data from different cell lines. Currently, it is still unclear what extent a across cell line prediction can be made based on sequence-level information.Results: In this work, we present a novel Sequence-based method (called SEPT) to predict the Enhancer-Promoter interactions in new cell line by using the cross-cell information and Transfer learning. SEPT first learns the features of enhancer and promoter from DNA sequences with convolutional neural network (CNN), then designing the gradient reversal layer of transfer learning to reduce the cell line specific features meanwhile retaining the features associated with EPIs. When the locations of enhancers and promoters are provided in new cell line, SEPT can successfully recognize EPIs in this new cell line based on labeled data of other cell lines. The experiment results show that SEPT can effectively learn the latent import EPIs-related features between cell lines and achieves the best prediction performance in terms of AUC (the area under the receiver operating curves).Conclusion: SEPT is an effective method for predicting the EPIs in new cell line. Domain adversarial architecture of transfer learning used in SEPT can learn the latent EPIs shared features among cell lines from all other existing labeled data. It can be expected that SEPT will be of interest to researchers concerned with biological interaction prediction.
Following cytotoxic nanoconjugates from injection to halting the cell cycle machinery and its therapeutic implications in oral cancer
Authors: Hamid Hend Mohamed Abdel , Darwish Zeinab El Sayed , Elsheikh Sahar Mohamed , Mourad Ghada , Donia Hanaa , Afifi Marwa
Published: October 2020

Background: The concept of personalized therapy has been proven to be a promising approach. A popular technique is to utilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as drug delivery vectors for cytotoxic drugs and small molecule inhibitors to target and eradicate oral cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Both drug and nanocarrier designs play important roles in the treatment efficacy. In our study, we standardized the nanosystem regarding NPs type, size, surface ligands and coverage percentage leaving only the drugs mode of action as the confounding variable. We propose that similarly constructed nanoparticles (NPs) can selectively leverage different conjugated drugs irrelevant to their original mode of action. If proven, AuNPs may have a secondary role beyond bypassing cancer cell membrane and delivering their loaded drugs.Methods: We conjugated 5- fluorouracil (5Fu), camptothecin (CPT), and a fibroblast growth factor receptor1-inhibitor (FGFR1i) to gold nanospheres (AuNSs). We followed their trajectories in Syrian hamsters with chemically induced buccal carcinomas.Results: Flow cytometry and cell cycle data shows that 5Fu- and CPT- induced a similar ratio of S-phase cell cycle arrest as nanoconjugates and in their free forms. On the other hand, FGFR1i-AuNSs induced significant sub-G1 cell population compared with its free form. Despite cell cycle dynamics variability, there was no significant difference in tumor cells’ proliferation rate between CPT-, 5Fu- and FGFR1i- AuNSs treated groups. In our in vivo model, FGFR1i-AuNSs induced the highest tumor reduction rates followed by 5Fu- AuNSs. CPT-AuNSs induced significantly lower tumor reduction rates compared with the 5Fu- and FGFR1i- AuNSs despite showing similar proliferative rates in tumor cells.Conclusions: Our data indicates that the cellular biological events do not predict the outcome seen in our in vivo model. Furthermore, our results suggest that AuNSs selectively enhance the therapeutic effect of small molecule inhibitors such as FGFR1i than potent anticancer drugs. Future studies are required to better understand the underlying mechanism.
Changes in left ventricular electromechanical relations during targeted hypothermia
Authors: Wisløff-Aase Kristin , Kerans Viesturs , Haugaa Kristina , Halvorsen Per Steinar , Skulstad Helge , Espinoza Andreas
Published: October 2020

Background:Targeted hypothermia, as used after cardiac arrest, increases electrical and mechanical systolic duration. Differences in duration of electrical and mechanical systole are correlated to ventricular arrhythmias. The electromechanical window (EMW) becomes negative when the electrical systole outlasts the mechanical systole. Prolonged electrical systole corresponds to prolonged QT interval, and is associated with increased dispersion of repolarization and mechanical dispersion. These three factors predispose for arrhythmias. The electromechanical relations during targeted hypothermia are unknown.We wanted to explore the electromechanical relations during hypothermia at 33 °C. We hypothesized that targeted hypothermia would increase electrical and mechanical systolic duration without an increase in EMW negativity, nor an increase in dispersion of repolarization and mechanical dispersion.Methods: In a porcine model (n = 14) we registered electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiographic recordings during 38 °C and 33 °C, at spontaneous and atrial paced heart rate 100 beats/min. EMW was calculated by subtracting electrical systole; QT interval, from the corresponding mechanical systole; QRS onset to aortic valve closure. Dispersion of repolarization was measured as time from peak to end of the ECG T wave. Mechanical dispersion was calculated by strain echocardiography as standard deviation of time to peak strain. Results:Electrical systole increased during hypothermia at spontaneous heart rate (p < 0.001) and heart rate 100 beats/min (p = 0.005). Mechanical systolic duration was prolonged and outlasted electrical systole independently of heart rate (p < 0.001). EMW changed from negative to positive value (-20 ± 19 to 27 ± 34 ms, p = 0.001). The positivity was even more pronounced at heart rate 100 beats/min (-25 ± 26 to 41 ± 18 ms, p < 0.001). Dispersion of repolarization decreased (p = 0.027 and p = 0.003), while mechanical dispersion did not differ (p = 0.078 and p = 0.297).Conclusion:Targeted hypothermia increased electrical and mechanical systolic duration, the electromechanical window became positive, dispersion of repolarization was slightly reduced and mechanical dispersion was unchanged. These alterations may have clinical importance. Further clinical studies are required to clarify whether corresponding electromechanical alterations are accommodating in humans.
Differences in [18F]-FDG uptake in BAT of UCP1 -/- and UCP1+/+ during adrenergic stimulation of non-shivering thermogenesis
Authors: McHugh Christian T , Garside John , Barkes Jared , Frank Jonathan , Dragicevich Constance , Yuan Hong , Branca Rosa T
Published: October 2020

Background Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a fat tissue found in most mammals that helps regulate energy balance and core body temperature through a sympathetic process known as non-shivering thermogenesis. BAT activity is commonly detected and quantified in [18F]FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans, and radiotracer uptake in BAT during adrenergic stimulation is often used as a surrogate measure for identifying thermogenic activity in the tissue. BAT thermogenesis is believed to be contingent upon the expression of the protein UCP1, but conflicting results have been reported in the literature concerning [18F]FDG uptake within BAT of mice with and without UCP1. Differences in animal handling techniques such as feeding status, type of anesthetic, type of BAT stimulation, and estrogen levels were identified as possible confounding variables for [18F]FDG uptake. In this study, we aimed to assess differences in BAT [18F]FDG uptake between wildtype and UCP1-knockout mice using a protocol that minimizes possible variations in BAT stimulation caused by different stress responses to mouse handling.Results [18F]FDG PET/CT scans were ran on mice that were anesthetized with pentobarbital after stimulation of non-shivering thermogenesis by norepinephrine. While in wild type mice [18F]FDG uptake in BAT increased significantly with norepinephrine stimulation of BAT, there was no consistent change in [18F]FDG uptake in BAT of mice lacking UCP1. Conclusions [18F]FDG uptake within adrenergically stimulated BAT of wildtype and UCP1-knockout mice can significantly vary such that an [18F]FDG uptake threshold cannot be used to differentiate wildtype from UCP1-knockout mice. However, while an increase in BAT [18F]FDG uptake during adrenergic stimulation is consistently observed in wild type mice, in UCP1-knockout mice [18F]FDG uptake in BAT seems to be is independent of β3 adrenergic stimulation of non-shivering thermogenesis.
Alloying–Realloying Enabled High Durability for Pt–Pd–3d-Transition Metal Nanoparticle Fuel Cell Catalysts
Authors: Wu Zhipeng , Maswadeh Yazan , Wen Jianguo , Kong Zhijie , Shan Shiyao , Vargas Jorge , Yan Shan , Hopkins Emma , Park Keonwoo , Sharma Anju , Ren Yang , Petkov Valeri , Wang Lichang , Zhong Chuan-Jian
Published: October 2020

Alloying noble metals with non-noble metals enables high activity while reducing the cost of electrocatalysts in fuel cells. However, under fuel cell operating conditions, state-of-the-art oxygen reduction reaction alloy catalysts either feature high atomic percentages of noble metals (>70%) with limited durability or show poor durability when lower percentages of noble metals (<50%) are used. Here we demonstrate a highly-durable alloy catalyst derived by alloying PtPd (<50%) with 3d-transition metals (Cu, Ni or Co) in ternary compositions. The origin of the high durability is probed by in-situ/operando high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction coupled with pair distribution function analysis of atomic phase structures and strains, revealing an important role of realloying in the compressively-strained single-phase alloy state despite the occurrence of dealloying. The implication of the finding, a striking departure from previous perceptions of phase-segregated noble metal skin or complete dealloying of non-noble metals, is the fulfilling of the promise of alloy catalysts for mass commercialization of fuel cells.
Combined femoral and axillary perfusion strategy for Stanford type A aortic dissection repair
Authors: Huang Ling-chen , Xu Qi-chen , Chen Dao-zhong , Dai Xiao-fu , Chen Liang-wan
Published: October 2020

Background: The optimal cannulation strategy in surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection is critical to patient survival but remains controversial. Different cannulation strategies have their own advantages and drawbacks during cardiopulmonary bypass. Our centre used a combined femoral and axillary perfusion strategy for the surgical treatment of type A aortic dissection. The purpose of this study was to review and clarify the clinical outcome of femoral artery cannulation combined with axillary artery cannulation for the treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection.Methods: We performed a retrospective study that included 327 patients who were surgically treated for type A aortic dissection in our institution from January 2017 to June 2019. Femoral and axillary artery cannulation was used to establish cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with type A aortic dissection. The demographic data, surgical data, and clinical results of the patients were calculated.Results: Femoral artery combined with axillary artery cannulation was technically successful in 327 patients. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was 141.60 ± 34.89 minutes, and the selective antegrade cerebral perfusion time was 14.94 ± 2.76 minutes. The early mortality rate was 3.06%. The incidence of permanent neurologic dysfunction was 0.92%. Sixteen patients had postoperative renal insufficiency, and five patients had liver failure.Conclusion: Femoral artery combined with axillary artery cannulation for type A aortic dissection can significantly improve the prognosis of patients, especially in terms of cerebral protection, and can reduce the occurrence of adverse malperfusion syndrome and neurological complications.
Gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type: clinicopathological features of eight patients treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Li Chengfang , Wu Xinglong , Yang Shuang , Yang Xiaorong , Yao Jin , Zheng Hong
Published: October 2020

Background Gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type (GA-FG) has been added to the 2019 edition of the World Health Organization’s list of digestive system-associated cancers. This lesion differentiates toward the fundic gland and mostly involves chief cell-predominant differentiation with low-grade cytology. Clinicians and pathologists are still unaware of this rare disease; consequently, some cases are incorrectly diagnosed. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features of GA-FG using retrospective analyses of endoscopic and pathological findings. Materials and methods Samples were collected from patients diagnosed with GA-FG. The clinical courses of all patients were monitored prospectively and reviewed retrospectively. Available clinical information, endoscopic features, pathological appearance, and follow-up data were assessed. Immunohistochemistry [mucin (MUC) 2, MUC5, MUC6, P53, CDX2, Ki67, SYN, CD56, CGA, β-catenin, and pepsinogen-I] was examined using Envision two-step method.Results Eight cases of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were obtained from our institution. Patient age ranged from 48-80 years (mean, 65 years). Some patients were on acid-suppressing medication. Most lesions were located in the upper third (n = 7) and one was in the middle third of the stomach. Six lesions were of the superficial flat type, whereas two were of the superficial elevated type. Narrow-band imaging using magnifying endoscopy showed irregular microvascular patterns (MVPs) in four cases and regular MVPs in the remaining cases. All lesions were primarily solitary and ~6 mm in diameter (largest, 12 mm). The main body of the tumors were localized in the mucosal layer, of which six cases invade into the submucosal layer. Well-formed glands of chief cells were predominant. Tumor cells were positive for pepsinogen-I, MUC6, SYN, and CD56. Lymphatic and vascular infiltration and metastatic and recurrent disease were not observed in any case.Conclusion GA-FG, a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with mild atypia, can be completely removed using ESD, with a favorable prognosis in patients.
mSwap: A Large-Scale Image-Compositing Method with Optimal m-ary Tree
Authors: Hou Min , Bi Chongke , Wang Fang , Deng Liang , Zheng Gang , Meng Xiangfei
Published: October 2020

With the increasing of computing ability, large-scale simulations have been generating massive amounts of data in aerodynamics. Sort-last parallel rendering is the most classical image compositing method for large-scale scientific visualization. However, in the stage of image compositing, the sort-last method may suffer from scalability problem on large-scale processors. Existing image compositing algorithms tend to perform well in certain situations. For instance, Direct Send is well on small and medium scale; Radix-k gets well performance only when the k-value is appropriate and so on. In this paper, we propose a novel method named mSwap for scientific visualization in aerodynamics, which uses the best scale of processors to make sure its performance at the best. mSwap groups the processors that we can use with a (m, k) table, which records the best combination of m (the number of processors in subgroup of each group) and k (the number of processors in each group). Then in each group, using a m-ary tree to composite the image for reducing the communication of processors. Finally, the image is composited between different groups to generate the final image. The performance and scalability of our mSwap method is demonstrated through experiments with thousands of processors.