bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison Between USGS PSHA Modification and Openquake in Determining Bedrock Acceleration With Probability of Exceedance 2% 50 Years, Case Study: Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Syahbana Arifan Jaya , Sari Anggun Mayang , Saputra Okta Fajar , Aditramulyadi Dega Damara , Irsyam Masyhur , Hendriyawan Hendriyawan , Asrurifak M
Published: November 2020

Several destructive earthquake events with large magnitude struck Central Sulawesi, Indonesia include on August 23, 1982 (5.4 Mw), October 25, 1983 (5.8 Mw), October 31, 1983 (6.0 Mw), July 22 1996 (7.0 Mw), September 28, 1997 (5.9 Mw), October 10, 1998 (6.1 Mw), May 4, 2000 (6.5 Mw), May 8, 2010 (5.8 Mw), February 15, 2011 (6.1 Mw), May 29, 2017 (6.6Mw) and September 28, 2018 (5.9Mw; 7.4Mw). Especially in the last incident, there was an interesting phenomenon, the occurrence of tsunamis with the cause of the mechanism of strike-slip and liquefaction with a deformation reaching several hundred meters. With the effects of the earthquake, this paper aims to review the earthquake side, especially the acceleration study in bedrock using the modified USGS PSHA software in attenuation (GMPE) and OpenQuake for 2475 years return period (2% probability exceeded in 50 years). The earthquake data used was the 1900-2016 earthquake catalog adopted by the Indonesian National Earthquake Study Center. The results obtained are earthquake acceleration using modified USGS PSHA generate greater value mainly in areas close to Batui Fault. In the combination analysis conducted at the end of this study, the acceleration range values are the same as the 2017 Indonesia Earthquake Map. Still, they have different zonation patterns in the central part of Central Sulawesi Province, where there is an enlarged zone of 0.6-0.7g.
Empirically Derived Dietary Patterns and Attention Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) in Children
Authors: Shareghfarid Elham , Salehi-Abargouei Amin , Mirhoseini Hamid , Mirzaei Masoud , Hosseinzadeh Mahdieh
Published: November 2020

Background: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is the most common chronic mental and behavioral disorder among children. We aimed to derive major dietary patterns in relation with ADHD through a case-control study. Method: Participants were selected from age-gender matched children and adolescents who were categorized into case (n = 120) and control groups (n = 240). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition was used to diagnose ADHD. Food frequency questionnaire and principal component analysis were used to measure food intake and identify major dietary patterns, respectively. Results: Three major dietary patterns were identified: Factor 1, with high loads of snack, fast foods, refined grains, and sweetened beverages was labeled “snack-fast food” dietary pattern. Factor 2, with high loadings of fish, low fat dairy, and legumes was tagged “fish-low fat dairy” dietary pattern. Factor 3, with high positive loads of yellow-red vegetables, other vegetables, pickles, and nuts, but high negative loadings for refined grain and sweets was named “vegetable-nuts” dietary pattern. The snack-fast food dietary pattern significantly increased odds of ADHD in fully adjusted model (odds ratio [OR], 3.30; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.39-7.84; P for trend < 0.001). Fish and low fat dairy products dietary pattern is protectively associated with ADHD (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.19-0.91; P for trend = 0.02). Vegetable and nut dietary pattern showed no significant relation with possibility of ADHD (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.40-1.90; P for trend = 0.53). Conclusions: Children are suggested to reduce intake of snack and fast food dietary pattern and increase fish and low fat dairy products, and legumes to reduce the chance of ADHD.
Neonatal Outcomes Among Survivors of Twin-twin Transfusion Syndrome After Single Fetal Demise
Authors: Lin Ya-Lan , Hung Yi-Li , Shen Chung-Min , Hsieh Wu-Shiun
Published: November 2020

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is due to unbalanced inter-twin blood flow. We aimed to evaluate neonatal outcomes among surviving co-twins of TTTS without fetal laser photocoagulation after single-twin intrauterine fetal demise (sIUFD). All patients admitted between January 2014 and December 2017 to the neonatal intensive care unit of a medical center were recruited. Moreover, a comprehensive literature review of PubMed from 1993 to 2020 was performed. Medical records of 124 patients were retrieved, including 119 from published literature and five from our institution. Seventy-three (58.8%) patients were born prematurely. In addition, twenty-four (19.3 %) patients presented with anemia at birth, and seventeen (13.7%), four (3.2%), and four (3.2%) neonates had intracranial lesions, acute kidney injury, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract dysmotility, respectively. The overall survival rate was 69.4 %. Among our cases, we found that the hemoglobin level at birth was positively correlated with the duration between co-twin intrauterine fetal demise and the delivery time of the surviving co-twins (rs=0.9, p=0.037). Conclusions: High morbidity and mortality rates were observed among co-twins of TTTS after sIUFD without laser photocoagulation. The shorter duration between diagnosis of sIUFD and surviving twin delivery resulted in more severe anemia.
The Clinical Significance of Interleukin-6, C-reactive Protein, and Procalcitonin in the Early Recognition of Nosocomial Infections in Preterm Infants
Authors: Cui Xuewei , Shi Yongyan , Zhao Xinyi , Xue Xindong , Fu Jianhua
Published: November 2020

Background: This study assessed the clinical value of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) for early recognition of nosocomial infections in preterm infants.Methods: 120 neonates were enrolled, 89 with sepsis were compared with 31 noninfected controls. IL-6, CRP and PCT were measured at certain stages of infection. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the best cutoff values of IL-6, CRP, and PCT for diagnosing sepsis.Results: The levels of IL-6, CRP, and PCT in the sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the control group before antibiotic treatment. In the sepsis group, IL-6 peaked 6 hours after the infection onset and dropped to normal 24–48 hours after the infection was controlled. The best cutoff values of IL-6, CRP, and PCT were >99.6 pg/mL, >9.27 mg/L, and >2.33 ng/mL, respectively. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.888, 0.823, and 0.953, respectively.When PCT was combined with IL-6 or IL-6 and CRP, the sensitivity and specificity were >85%.Conclusion: IL-6, CRP, and PCT are reliable indicators for early diagnosis of nosocomial infections in preterm infants. Combining PCT and IL-6 CRP, IL-6, and PCT levels could improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis.
Preferences and Expectations of Feedback of Individual Genetic Research Results in African Genomics: Views of South African Parents of Children With Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Authors: Matshabane Olivia Precious , Albertus Cleo A , Faure Marlyn C , Ralefala Dimpho , Donald Kirsten A , Wonkam Ambroise , de Vries Jantina
Published: November 2020

BackgroundGenomic medicine is expanding at an exponential pace across the globe and increased access to genome analysis has led to greater generations of genetic results with specific relevance to individuals. AimThis study aims to explore preferences and expectations of feedback of individual genetic research results among parents of children with neurodevelopmental conditions. MethodsFollowing a qualitative approach, we conducted four deliberative focus group discussions with (n=27) South African parents of children involved in genomics research on neurodevelopmental conditions. ResultsMost participants expressed a strong interest in receiving individual genetic results regardless of severity, actionability and preventability. These results were viewed as valuable because they could empower or emancipate individuals, families and communities. Receiving risk information was also believed to motivate healthier lifestyle choices. However, some participants were uncertain or articulated a desire not to receive results due to fears of anxiety or psychological harm. In addition, participants expected to receive results as a demonstration of respect from researchers and articulated it as an act to build trust between researchers and participants. ConclusionsInternationally, a debate continues around whether individual genetic results should or should not be fed back to participants of research studies. In Africa, there is scant literature which has investigated this question and no policies to guide researchers. This study provides a basis of empirical data on perspectives of African participants which could inform work on the development of a consolidated approach to the feedback of incidental findings in the continent.
Pharmacy Club: A Model for Organizing a Regular Forum for Science and Research Communication in Higher Education Institutions in Resource-Limited Settings.
Authors: Alrayah Sahar A , Mahjob Abdelrahim M , Abuelgasim Azza A , Osman Bashier , Ahmed Rehab
Published: November 2020

BackgroundExtracurricular academic activities such as journal clubs are extremely important for research education, professional development, science communication and discussion. Yet, they are lacking in countries with short and limited resources such as Sudan. Pharmacy club is a platform set to meet some of the need to those activities. The aim of this work is to describe how this club came forth, the activities presented thus far in the club, present feedback from the participants and share some lessons drawn over the years.MethodsWe started Pharmacy Club late in 2012 as a platform where basic and clinical research and other topics related to the field of pharmacy are shared and discussed publicly with everyone interested. We analysed the Pharmacy Club data archive which contains details of the lectures and activities organized from 2012 to 2020. A questionnaire was designed and sent to the participants in November 2019. Analysis and description are performed using Microsoft office excel 2019.ResultsPharmacy Club has organized more than hundred extracurricular lectures through complete voluntary work. Analysis of Pharmacy Club’s archive revealed prominent diversities in many aspects related to the type of topics presented, and presenters’ background, nationalities (12% international presenters), affiliations, and academic qualifications. Questionnaire results highlight the importance of using different advertisement strategies to reach out to the people. Among other reasons that deter folks to participate regularly, timing of the events as expected is the main challenge.ConclusionThere is a need for fora in the third world academic institutions where research and scientific topics could be shared among the like-minded fellows. Pharmacy club is a model of this fora with almost 8 years of voluntary and free service and many lessons can be drawn from its experience.
Information and Communication Technology to enhance Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continuing Medical Education (CME) in Rwanda: A Scoping Review of Reviews
Authors: Lune NGENZI Joseph , Scott Richard E. , Mars Maurice
Published: November 2020

Background: Access to high quality continuing professional development (CPD) is one of the indicators that healthcare personnel retain competency within the ever-evolving worlds of medicine and health. Most low- and middle-income countries, including Rwanda, have a critical shortage of health personnel and limited access to CPD opportunities. This study scoped the literature using review articles related to the use of information communication technology (ICT) and video conferencing for the delivery of CPD to healthcare professionals. The goal was to inform decision-makers of relevant and suitable approaches for a low-income country such as Rwanda. Methods: PubMed and hand searching was used. Only review articles written in English, published between 2010 and 2019, and reporting the use of ICT for CPD were included. Results: Six review articles were included in this study. Various delivery modes (face to face, pure elearning and blended learning) and technology approaches (Internet-based and non-Internet based) were reported. All types of technology approach enhanced knowledge, skills and attitudes. Pure elearning is comparable to face-to-face delivery and better than ‘no intervention’, and blended learning showed mixed results compared to traditional face-to-face learning. Participant satisfaction was attributed to ease of use, easy access and interactive content. Conclusion: The use of technology to enhance CPD delivery is acceptable with most technology approaches improving knowledge, skills and attitude. For the intervention to work effectively, CPD courses must be well designed: needs-based, based on sound educational theories, interactive, easy to access, and affordable. Participants must possess the required devices and technological literacy.
Global Health Education For Medical Students In Italy 
Authors: Civitelli Giulia , Tarsitani Gianfranco , Censi Veronica , Rinaldi Alessandro , Marceca Maurizio
Published: November 2020

Background: Global health education (GHE) in Italy has spread since the first decade of 21st century. The presence of global health (GH) courses in Italy was monitored from 2007 to 2013. In 2019, a new survey was proposed to assess the availability of educational opportunities in Italian medical schools. Methods: An online survey was carried out using a questionnaire administered to a network of interested individuals, with different roles in the academic world: students, professors, and members of the Italian Network for Global Health Education. The features of courses were analysed through a score.Results: A total of 61 responses were received from affiliates of 33 of the 44 medical schools in Italy. The national mean of GH courses for each faculty was 1.2, reflecting an increase from 2007. The courses increased nationwide, resulting in a dispersed GHE presence in northern, central and southern Italy. One of the most critical points is related to the nature of “elective” courses, which are not mandatory in the curricula: enrollees tend to be students genuinely interested in GH issues. Some experiences of community and service-learning experiences, referred to as GH gyms, were also detected at national and international levels.Conclusions: GHE is spreading in Italy, coherently with the vision of the Italian Network for Global Health Education. Although progress has been made to disperse GH courses around the country, more academic commitment is needed to insert GH in the mandatory curricula of medical schools and other health faculties.
­Silent Existence of Eosinopenia in Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Yao , Rong Jiabing , Zhang Zhaocai
Published: November 2020

BackgroundSepsis is a life-threatening and time-critical medical emergency; therefore, the early diagnosis of sepsis is essential to timely treatment and favorable outcomes for patients susceptible to sepsis. Eosinopenia has been identified as a potential biomarker of sepsis in the past decade. However, its clinical application progress is slow and its recognition is low. Recent studies have again focused on the potential association between Eosinopenia and severe infections. This study analyzed the efficacy of Eosinopenia as a biomarker for diagnosis of sepsis and its correlation with pathophysiology of sepsis.MethodWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL databases to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria. Two authors performed data extraction independently. The pooled outcomes were calculated by TP (true positive), FP (false positive), FN (false negative), TN (true negative) by using bivariate meta-analysis model in STATA 14.0 software. Meanwhile, possible mechanisms of sepsis induced Eosinopenia was also analyzed.ResultsSeven studies were included in the present study with a total number of 3842 subjects. The incidence of Eosinopenia based on the enrolled studies varied from 23.2% to 92.7%. For diagnosis of sepsis, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio of Eosinopenia were 0.66 (95%CI [0.53-0.77]), 0.68 (95%CI [0.56-0.79]), 2.09 (95%CI [1.44-3.02]), 0.49 (95%CI [0.34-0.71]) and 4.23 (95%CI [2.15-8.31]), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC) was 0.73 (95%CI [0.68-0.76]). Meta-regression analysis revealed that no single parameter accounted for the heterogeneity of pooled outcomes. For each subgroup of different eosinopenia cutoff values (50, 40, ≤25, 100), the sensitivity was 0.61, 0.79, 0.57, 0.54, and the specificity was 0.61, 0.75, 0.83, 0.51, respectively. ConclusionsOur findings suggested that Eosinopenia has a high incidence in sepsis but has no superiority in comparison with conventional biomarkers for diagnosis of sepsis. However, eosinopenia can still be used in clinical diagnosis for sepsis as a simple, convenient, fast and inexpensive biomarker. Therefore, further large clinical trials are still needed to re-evaluate eosinopenia as a biomarker of sepsis.
Propensity Score-Matched Comparison of Stenting as Bridge to Surgery and Emergency Surgery for Acute Malignant Left-Sided Colonic Obstruction
Authors: Cao Yuepeng , Chen Qing , Ni Zhizhan , Wu Feng , Huang Chenshen , Zhou Jinzhe , Zhang Songze , Ge Bujun , Huang Qi
Published: November 2020

PurposeBridge to elective surgery (BTS) using self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) is a common alternative to emergency surgery (ES) for acute malignant left-sided colonic obstruction (AMLCO). However, the study regarding long-term impact of BTS is limited and unclear.MethodsA multicenter observational study was performed at three hospitals from April 2012 to December 2019. Propensity score matching (PSM) was introduced to minimize selection bias. The primary endpoint was overall survival. The secondary endpoints included surgical approaches, primary resection types, total stent related adverse effects (AEs), surgical AEs, length of hospital stay, 30-day mortality and tumor recurrence.Results49 patients in both BTS and ES group were matched. Patients in the BTS group more often underwent laparoscopic resection (31 [63.3%] vs 8 [16.3%], p<0.001), less likely to have a primary stoma (13 [26.5%] vs 26 [53.1%], p=0.007) and more often had perineural invasion (25 [51.0%] vs 13 [26.5%], p=0.013). The median overall survival was significantly lower in patients with stent insertion (41 vs 65 months, p=0.041). 3-year overall survival (53.0% vs 77.2%, p=0.039) and 5-year overall survival (30.6% vs 55.0%, p=0.025) were significantly less favorable in the BTS group. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, stenting (hazard ratio(HR)= 2.309(1.052-5.066), p=0.037), surgical AEs (HR=1.394(1.053-1.845), p=0.020) and pTNM stage (HR=1.706(1.116-2.607), p=0.014) were positively correlated with overall survival in matched patients. ConclusionsSelf-expanding metal stents as “a bridge to surgery” is associated with more perineural invasion, higher recurrence rate and worse overall survival in patients with acute malignant left-sided colonic obstruction compared with emergency surgery.
Prevalence of anemia and associated risk factor among under-five children in Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia
Authors: Alemu Getahun Megersa , Ayalneh Shimelis Teshome , Waye Bekele Gutema
Published: November 2020

Anemia is a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood or both which results in a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen. According to a 2008 WHO report indicate that more than half of the world’s preschool-age children (56.3%) reside in countries where anemia is a severe public health problem. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is a severe public health problem among preschool-age children. In this region, much of the national prevalence is estimated to be above 40% among this age group. In Ethiopia, more than 44% of under-five children are anemic. Furthermore, a 2016 report national-level indicates even there was intervention the prevalence increased significantly to 72.3%. It means that the prevalence of anemia is still at the highest public health problem in Ethiopia. The Objectives of the study is to assess the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among under-five children attending the pediatrics outpatient department in Asella teaching and referral Hospital from June 2018 to October 30, 2018. An Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted by non-probability convenience sampling technique; 338 children were selected. The results of the study showed that the overall prevalence of anemia among under-five children was 36.7%, around 21(6.2%) of them were found to be severely anemic, whereas 37 (10.9%) were moderately anemic. Factors like child’s age [AOR=2.36, 95%CI (1.18, 3.74)] and birth intervals [AOR=3.31, 95%CI (1.17, 3.6)], were associated with anemia. Anemia remains a common health problem in the study area among under-five children and further studies are needed to focus on etiologies and interventions.
The Single-Cloud Star Formation Relation
Authors: Pokhrel Riwaj
Published: November 2020

One of the most important and well-established empirical results in astronomy is the so-called Kennicutt-Schmidt (KS) relation between the density of interstellar gas and the rate at which that gas forms stars. While a tight correlation between these quantities has long been measured at galactic scales, the difficulty of measuring star formation rates and gas densities over a large dynamic range at sub-galactic scales has thus far precluded a definitive determination of whether the same relationship holds within individual star-forming clouds. In this article we use a new, high-accuracy catalogue of young stellar objects from Spitzer combined with new, high-dynamic range maps of twelve nearby ($<$1.5 kpc) molecular clouds from Herschel to re-examine the KS relation within individual molecular clouds. We find a tight, linear correlation between clouds' star formation rate per unit area and their gas surface density normalised by the gas free-fall time. The measured relation extends over more than two orders of magnitude within each cloud, and is nearly identical in each of the twelve clouds, implying a constant star formation efficiency per free-fall time eff≈0.026$. The finding of a universal correlation within individual molecular clouds, including clouds that contain no massive stars or massive stellar feedback, favours models in which star formation is regulated by local processes such as turbulence or protostellar outflows, and disfavours models in which star formation is regulated primarily by galaxy properties or supernova feedback on galactic scales.
Optimized anti-reflection core-shell microspheres for enhanced optical trapping by structured light beams
Authors: Shahabadi Vahid , Madadi Ebrahim , Abdollahpour Daryoush
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we study the optical trapping of anti-reflection core-shell microspheres by regular Gaussian beam and several structured beams including radially polarized Gaussian, petal, and hard-aperture-truncated circular Airy beams. We show that using an appropriate anti-reflection core-shell microsphere for the optical trapping by several structured light beams can dramatically enhance the strength of the trap compared to the trapping by the common Gaussian beam. The optimal core-shell thickness ratio that minimizes the scattering force is obtained for polystyrene-silica and anatase-amorphous titania microspheres, such that the core-shells act as anti-reflection coated microspheres. We show that the trapping strength of the anti-reflection coated microparticles trapped by the common Gaussian beam is enhanced up to 2-folds compared to that of trapped uncoated microparticles, while the trapping of anti-reflection coated microparticles, by the radially polarized beam, is strengthened up to 4-folds in comparison to that of the trapped uncoated microparticles by the Gaussian beam. Our results indicate that for anatase-amorphous titania microparticles highest trap strength is obtained by radially polarized beam, while for the polystyrene-silica microparticles, the strongest trapping is achieved by the petal beam.
WITHDRAWN: Regulatory T cells enhance stem-like characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Liu Chang , Pan Yan-yan , Ji Jun , Wu Yuan-yuan , Wang He-shuang , Gao Yan-yan , Zhang Li
Published: November 2020

Background: Tumor initiating cells (TICs) were confirmed to drive the therapeutic resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the mechanism by which tumor microenvironment maintains the HCC stemness is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of regulatory T cells (Tregs) on the TICs characteristics of HCC. Methods: Immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, real-time PCR, western blot, in vitro sphere-formation, and in vivo tumorigenesis assay were used to detect HCC TIC characteristics. Additionally, the association between FoxP3 expression, Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, and HCC stemness were analyzed by forced expression or inhibition of FoxP3. Results: It was showed Tregs enhanced the stemness of HCC cells by upregulation of TIC-related markers CD133, Oct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc, Klf4, Nanog, CD13, EpCAM, and induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), increase of TICs ratio, as well as promotion of tumorigenic ability. Moreover, β-catenin and c-Myc were upregulated in HCC cells when co-cultured with Tregs. After Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibition, HCC stemness was also inhibited. In addition, Tregs-derived exosomes played the same role as Tregs in enhancing HCC TIC properties, and exosome inhibition led to decreased TIC ratio as well as TIC markers expression. Furthermore, Tregs-derived exosomes down-regulate FoxP3 and GSK3β of HCC cells. Forced expression of FoxP3 resulted in increased GSK3β, decreased β-catenin and TIC ratio of HCC. In contrast, FoxP3 interference reduced GSK3β, increased β-catenin and TIC ratio. Conclusions: This study, for the first time, demonstrated Tregs enhanced HCC stemness through Wnt//β-catenin pathway by down-regulating FoxP3.
Clinical-MRI Radiomics Enables the Prediction of Preoperative Cerebral Spinal Fluid Dissemination in Children With Medulloblastoma 
Authors: Zheng Hui , Li Jinning , Wu Chenqing , Gui Ting , Liu Huanhuan , Liu Ming , Zhang Yuzhen , Duan Shaofeng , Li Yuhua , Wang Dengbin
Published: November 2020

Background: Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric embryonal tumor. Accurate identification of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) dissemination is important in prognosis prediction. Both MRI of the central nervous system (CNS) and CSF cytology will appear false positive and negative. Our objective was to investigate the added value of enhanced T1 weighted images-based radiomics features to clinical characteristics in predicting preoperative CSF dissemination for children with MB.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 84 children with histopathologically confirmed MB (60 children in the training cohort and 24 children in the validation cohort). The children with normal head and spine magnetic resonance images (MRI) and no subsequent dissemination in one year were diagnosed as non-CSF dissemination. The CSF dissemination was manifested as intra-cranial or -spinal nodular enhanced lesions. Clinical features and conventional MRI features were collected and evaluated. A total of 385 radiomics features were extracted from enhanced T1 weighted images. Minimum redundancy, maximum correlation and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator were performed to select the features with the best performance in predicting preoperative CSF dissemination. A combined clinical-MRI radiomics prediction model was developed using multivariable logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the predictive performance. Nomogram and decision curve analysis (DCA) were developed to evaluate the clinical utility of combined model.Results: Thirty-one children were confirmed to have preoperative CSF dissemination. One clinical and nine radiomics features were selected for predicting preoperative CSF dissemination. The combined model incorporating clinical and radiomics features had best predictive performance both in the training and validation cohorts. In the validation cohort, a threshold of 0.311 yielded an area under the curve of 0.87, a sensitivity of 77.8%, a specificity of 86.7%, and an accuracy of 83.3%. The clinical utility of the model was confirmed by a clinical-MRI radiomics nomogram and DCA. Conclusions: The combined model incorporating clinical, conventional MRI and radiomics features could be applied to predict preoperative CSF dissemination for children with MB as a noninvasive biomarker, which could aid in risk evaluation.
Transduction of inflammation from peripheral immune cells to the hippocampus induces neuronal hyperexcitability mediated by Caspase-1 activation
Authors: Shaker Tarek , Chattopadhyaya Bidisha , Amilhon Bénédicte , Cristo Graziella Di , Weil Alexander G.
Published: November 2020

1.1. Background Recent studies report infiltration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into the central nervous system (CNS) in epileptic disorders, suggestive of a potential contribution of PBMC extravasation to the generation of seizures. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms involved in PBMC infiltrates promoting neuronal predisposition to ictogenesis remain unclear. Therefore, we developed an in vitro model mimicking infiltration of activated PBMCs into the brain in order to investigate potential transduction of inflammatory signals from PBMCs to the CNS.1.2. Methods To establish our model, we first extracted PBMCs from rat spleen, then, immunologically primed PBMCs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), followed by further activation with nigericin. Thereafter, we co-cultured these activated PBMCs with organotypic cortico-hippocampal brain slice cultures (OCHSCs) derived from the same rat, and compared PBMC-OCHSC co-cultures to OCHSCs exposed to PBMCs in the culture media. We further targeted a potential molecular pathway underlying transduction of peripheral inflammation to OCHSCs by incubating OCHSCs with the Caspase-1 inhibitor VX-765 prior to co-culturing PBMCs with OCHSCs. After 24 hours, we analyzed inflammation markers in the cortex and the hippocampus using semiquantitative immunofluorescence. In addition, we analyzed neuronal activity by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in cortical layer II/III and hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.1.3. Results In the cortex, co-culturing immunoreactive PBMCs treated with LPS + nigericin on top of OCHSCs upregulated inflammatory markers and enhanced neuronal excitation. In contrast, no excitability changes were detected after adding primed PBMCs (i.e. treated with LPS only), to OCHSCs. Strikingly, in the hippocampus, both immunoreactive and primed PBMCs elicited similar pro-inflammatory and pro-excitatory effects. However, when immunoreactive and primed PBMCs were cultured in the media separately from OCHSCs, only immunoreactive PBMCs gave rise to neuroinflammation and hyperexcitability in the hippocampus, whereas primed PBMCs failed to produce any significant changes. Finally, VX-765 application to OCHSCs, co-cultured with either immunoreactive or primed PBMCs, protected them from neuroinflammation and hippocampal hyperexcitability.1.4. Conclusions Our study shows a higher susceptibility of the hippocampus to peripheral inflammation as compared to the cortex, mediated via Caspase-1-dependent signaling pathways. Thus, our findings suggest that Caspase-1 inhibition may potentially provide therapeutic benefits during hippocampal neuroinflammation and hyperexcitability secondary to peripheral innate immunity.
Clinical Manifestations, Laboratory Markers, and Renal Ultrasonographic Examinationsin 1-month to12-year-old Iranian Children with Pyelonephritis: A Six-year Cross-sectional Retrospectivestudy
Authors: Fahimi Daryoosh , Khedmat Leila , Afshin Azadeh , Noparast Zahra , Jafaripor Maryam , Beigi Effat Hosseinali , Ghodsi Maryam , Izadi Anahita , MOJTAHEDI SAYED YUSEF
Published: November 2020

Background: Upper urinary tract infection (UTI) or pyelonephritismay increase the pathogenesis rate and risk of severe complications in children due to the atrophy of the kidneys.Objective: A set of clinical symptoms, laboratory markers, and ultrasound findings were assessed to reach early diagnosis and prognosis of pyelonephritis in hospitalized pediatrics.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 104 Iranian children (95 girls and 9 boys) aged 1 month to 12 years with acute pyelonephritis during 2012-2018. The ultrasound examination of kidneys and urinary tract during the hospitalization period, the incidence of clinical symptoms, and the monitoring of laboratory markersin blood and urine were studied to identify the best predictive factors of early diagnosis of this bacterial infection.Results: Three-fourth of the patients had one of the four clinical symptoms of abdominal pain, constipation, dysuria, andvomiting, whileotherswere asymptomatic. A considerable frequency of pyuria(88.4%), Escherichia coli in urine (92%), leukocytosis (81.7%), and high ESR (> mm/h, 80%) and CRP (> 10mg/L, 82.8%) was observed. The kidney and urinary tract ultrasonography onlyin 32.7% of children showed in favor of pyelonephritis (cystitis, ureteral stones, and hydronephrosis).Conclusion: In the majority of patients, there was a high prevalence of clinical signs and laboratory markers associated with pyelonephritis. Since most patients have normal sonography, ultrasound alonecould notbe an efficient tool fortracingfebrile UTI.
A Comprehensive Analysis of 5-Year Outcomes in Patients With Cancer Admitted to Intensive Care Units
Authors: Hong Yoonki , Kim Woo Jin , Hong Ji Young , Jeong Yun-Jeong , Park Jinkyeong
Published: November 2020

BackgroundUntil recently, studies on long-term outcomes of critically ill patients with cancer have been mainly restricted to specific subgroups of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term (5 years) clinical outcomes of patients who received intensive care unit (ICU) treatment using the Korean nationwide data.MethodsAll patients aged >18 years with ICU admission, according to the claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from January 2008 to December 2010, were enrolled. The enrolled patients were followed up until December 2015. We analyzed clinical outcomes, including mortality after admission to the ICU. Critically ill patients were categorized into four subgroups: patients without cancer; with solid cancer except lung; with lung cancer; and with hematologic malignancies.ResultsAmong all critically ill patients admitted to the ICU (n = 323,765), the proportion of patients with cancer continued to increase from 21.5% in 2008 to 27.8% in 2010. Critically ill patients with cancer showed higher ICU mortality (18.6%) than those without cancer (13.2%, p < 0.001). There was no difference in ICU mortality at day 28 among patients without cancer (14.5%) and those with cancer which was not lung cancer or hematologic malignancies (14.3%, p = 0.28). Hazard ratios for the ICU mortality at 5 years were: 1.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.87–1.94) for lung cancer; 1.44 (95% CI: 1.43–1.46) for other solid cancers; and 3.05 (95% CI: 2.95–3.16) for hematologic malignancies, versus patients without cancer.Conclusion﻿The results of this study suggest that, in the short term, the outcomes of critically ill patients with cancer were not significantly different from those of general patients, except for cases with lung cancer and hematologic malignancies. However, the long-term survival rate of patients with cancer was significantly worse than that of general critically ill patients.
Association Between Body Composition with Pulmonary Function Tests
Authors: Pouragha Hamidreza , Kazemi Hosein , Pouryaghoub Gholamreza , Mehrdad Ramin
Published: November 2020

Background: Why is bodyweight not a predictor of lung function, however, height, sex, race, and age are predictors of lung capacity and function. In this study, we want to investigate the association between body composition and pulmonary function. And as much as possible, answer the question of why bodyweight is not predictive of lung function.Method: This cross-sectional study was performed among 2967 employees of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) who participated in the TUMS Employees Cohort (TEC) study. The body composition of the participants was measured using the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method. Anthropometric variables were also measured as a confounder. The pulmonary function of participants was assessed by a forced spirometry test.Results: The correlation of BIA values including fat-free mass and total body water with a pulmonary function such as FEV1, FVC, and FEF25-75 is higher than most anthropometric values such as weight, wrist circumference, and the waist to hip ratio. Also, in regression analysis, age and sex had an association with pulmonary function, but the weight did not show a significant relationship. On the other hand, fat-free mass and visceral fat were significantly associated with pulmonary function. One is direct and the other is inverse.Conclusion: The hypothesis that the results of this study created in the minds of the authors were that; The direct association of fat-free mass with pulmonary function may be ineffective by the inverse association of visceral fat with pulmonary function, leading to a lack of association between weight and pulmonary function.
Network Pharmacology Integrated Molecular Docking Reveals The Mechanism of Huanglian Wendan Decotion Against Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Bao Junli , Gao Xinyuan , Han Yubo , Zhang Ke , Liu Li
Published: November 2020

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of abnormalities which includes abdominal obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Many clinical studies showed that Huanglian Wendan Decoction(HWD) is effective in the treatment of MetS.Methods: In this study, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, STITCH database and Swisstargetpredicition database were used to excavate the active components of HWD and to predict the potential targets. The key targets of MetS are screened through GeneCards database and DisGeNET database. Moreover, we obtained the overlapping target of HWD and MetS based on venndiagram of "R program". Next, we performed enrichment analysis for common-target network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Afterwards, Cytoscape was used to construct the components-targets core network for HWD in treating MetS, and R program was used to perform GO-BP and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on these core targets. Last, we further investigated our predictions of crucial targets by performing molecular docking studies with components of HWD.Results: The component-target core network of HWD against MetS was screened to contain 22 active components, which corresponded to 77 core targets. Additionally, enrichment analysis suggested that targets of HWD against MetS were mainly clustered into multiple biological processes (response to nutrient levels, gland development, response to steroid hormone, cellular response to oxidative stress, reproductive structure development etc and related pathways (AGE-RAGE, AMPK, JAK-STAT, MAPK), indicating the underlying mechanisms of HWD on MetS. The results of molecular docking showed that beta-sitost, naringenin, berberine and baicalein bound well to IL6 and AKT1.Conclusion: The network pharmacological strategy integrated molecular docking to explore the mechanism of HWD against MetS. Our present outcomes might shed light on the further clinical application of HWD on MetS treatment.
Effective Treatment of a BRAF V600E-Mutant Epithelioid Glioblastoma Patient By Vemurafenib: A Case Report
Authors: Lin Zhiying , Yi Guozhong , Yang Runwei , Li Zhiyong , Zheng Haojie , Zhang Zhu , Peng Junxiang , Zhang Xian , Qi Songtao , Liu Yawei , Huang Guanglong
Published: November 2020

Background: Novel therapeutic targets in epithelioid glioblastoma (E-GBM) patients are urgently needed. About half of these tumors show the point mutations of the B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF). Therefore, this is a target of special interest for this group of patients. Meanwhile, unlike conventional glioblastoma, E-GBM lacks specific prognostic markers.Case presentation: We present a case report of a long-term surviving 37-years-old male patient diagnosed with a BRAF V600E-mutated E–GBM with IDH wild-type. The tumor displayed atypical exophytic growth and an obvious proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. Notably, tumor tissue was found under subarachnoid space. After conventional postoperative treatment options (including radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy) were exhausted, vemurafenib treatment was initiated. The patient maintained clinically stable, and follow-up MRI was consistent with stable disease for the following fifteen months up to now. To identify potential therapeutic targets of E-GBM, we carried out whole exome sequencing analysis and RNA-sequence to study the molecular characteristics of this E-GBM sample. The mutant genes were profiled using glioma RNA-sequencing data from Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database. We found that CNTNAP3, mTOR, NFATC3, and NOM1 shared by DNA-sequence data and RNA-sequence data were independent prognostic factors. Biological function was associated with phenotypes of focal adhesion and cell cycle. A prognostic risk model was constructed based on the mutant genes for predicting the survival of glioma patients. Survival plot and a nomogram was used to verify that our prognostic risk model is reliable and accurate.Conclusions: Our findings provided a new sight on the BRAF inhibitor, in combination with which CNTNAP3, mTOR, NFATC3, and NOM1 inhibitors seem to be a valuable salvage treatment option for E-GBM.
Baseline Evaluation of Bioinformatics Capacity in Tanzania
Authors: Sangeda Raphael Zozimus , Mwakilili Aneth David , Masamu Upendo , Nkya Siana , Mwita Liberata Alexander , Massawe Deogracious Protas , Lyantagaye Sylvester L. , Makani Julie
Published: November 2020

BackgroundEven though the genomics technologies have grown to a large extent, Sub Saharan Africa countries have not entirely reaped the benefits due to the lack of enough capacity to use these technologies. The lack of documentation on existing bioinformatics capacity in these countries hinders the guidance on leveraging the resources and in the identification of areas for improvement. The main objective of this study was to map out the interest and capacity for conducting bioinformatics and related research in Tanzania. Our findings identify critical areas for skills and infrastructure development for bioinformatics research. The study is a cross-sectional, explorative, descriptive study, among Tanzanian researchers in public and private academic and research institutionsResultsOut of 84 respondents, 50 (59.5%) were males. More than half of these 44 (52.4%) were in the age between 26-32 years. The majority 41 (48.8%) were master's degree holders with at least one publication related to bioinformatics. Eighty (95.2%) were willing to join the bioinformatics network and initiative in Tanzania. The major challenge faced by 22 (26.2%) of respondents was the lack of training and skills. The most used resources for bioinformatics analyses were the BLAST, PubMed and GenBank. Most performed analyses include sequence alignment and phylogenetic, which was reported by 57 (67.9%) and 42 (50%) of respondents, respectively. The most frequently used statistical software packages were SPSS and R. A quarter of the respondents were conversant with computer programming.ConclusionEarly career and young scientists were the largest group of responders engaged in bioinformatics research and activities across surveyed institutions in Tanzania. The use of bioinformatics tools for analysis is still low, including basic analysis tools such as BLAST, GenBank, sequence alignment software, Swiss-prot and TrEMBL. There is also poor access to resources and tools for bioinformatics analyses. As a way to address the skills and resources gaps, we recommend various modes of training and capacity building of relevant bioinformatics skills and provision of infrastructure so as to improve bioinformatics capacity in Tanzania.
Migrating Curlews on Schedule: Departure and Arrival Patterns of a Long-distance Migrant Depend on time and Breeding Location Rather than on Wind Conditions
Authors: Schwemmer Philipp , Mercker Moritz , Vanselow Klaus Heinrich , Bocher Pierrick , Garthe Stefan
Published: November 2020

Background: Departure decisions in long-distance migratory bird species may depend on favourable weather conditions and beneficial resources at the destination location, overarched by genetic triggers. However, few studies have tried to validate the significance of these three concepts simultaneously, and long-term, high-resolution tagging datasets recording individual movements across consecutive years are scarce. We used such a dataset to explore intraspecific and intra-individual variabilities in departure and arrival decisions from/to wintering grounds in relation to these three different concepts in bird migration.Methods: We equipped 23 curlews (Numenius arquata) wintering in the Wadden Sea with Global Positioning System data loggers to record their spatio-temporal patterns of departure from and arrival at their wintering site, and the first part of their migration. We obtained data for 42 migrations over 6 years, with 12 individuals performing repeat migrations in consecutive years. Departure and arrival dates were related to 73 meteorological and bird-related predictors using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to identify drivers of departure and arrival decisions.Results: Curlews migrated almost exclusively to Arctic and sub-Arctic Russia for breeding. They left their wintering site mainly during the evening from mid- to late April and returned between the end of June and mid-July. There was no difference in departure times between the sexes. Weather parameters did not impact departure decisions; if departure days coincided with headwind conditions, the birds accounted for this by flying at higher altitudes of up to several kilometres. Curlews breeding further away in areas with late snowmelt departed later. Departures dates varied by only <4 days in individual curlews tagged over consecutive years.Conclusions: These results suggest that the trigger for migration in a long-distance migrant is largely independent of weather conditions but is subject to resource availability in breeding areas. The high intra-individual repeatability of departure days among subsequent years and the lack of relationship to weather parameters suggest the importance of genetic triggers in prompting the start of migration. Further insights into the timing of migration in immatures and closely related birds might help to further unravel the genetic mechanisms triggering migration patterns.