bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential for 3D technology to be used in the first-stage periprosthetic hip joint infection treatment
Authors: Murylev Valeriy , Kukovenko Grigorii , Elizarov Pavel , Muzychenkov Alexey , Zhuchkov Alexander , Alexeev Semen Сергеевич , Chizh Ivan , Elizarov Michail , Stambekov Nursultan , Rudnev Alexander , Erochin Nikolay
Published: April 2021

Background. In two-stage deep periprosthetic infection treatment, many authors describe mechanical complications associated with the implantation of a spacer in the first stage that affect the functional outcome of the treatment.Purpose. To evaluate the functional results of using 3D spacers for IIIA and IIIB defects according to the classification system described by W.G. Paprosky during the first stage treatment of hip deep periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).Methods. From 2017 to 2020, 24 patients underwent first-stage revision arthroplasty with hip PJI and IIIA and IIIB acetabular bone defects according to the classification system described by W.G. Paprosky. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 received articulating spacers, and group 2 received custom-made spacers made using 3D technology. Function was evaluated by the Harris Hip Score, WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) and VAS (visual analogue scale). Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 for Windows. Student's t-test, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test (to compare parameters before and after surgery) and the Mann-Whitney rank-sum test were used.Results. In the first group, the average VAS score was 3.3 (± 1.4), the Harris Hip Score was 51.3 (± 9.4), and the WOMAC score was 42.9 (± 5.9); in the second group, the VAS score was 1.3 (± 0.9), the Harris Hip Score was 69.7 (± 3.6), and the WOMAC score was 30.1 (± 2.4). The rating scale data showed a statistically significant improvement in the function of patients in the second group (p <0.05).Conclusion. Custom-made 3D spacers used during the first stage of treatment for deep periprosthetic hip infection yield larger improvements in function and quality of life than do articulating spacers.Trial registration. Local Ethics Committee at the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University) № 386 13.12.2016.
In-situ Synthesis of Zirconium Oxycarbide by Electroreduction of ZrO2/C in Molten Salt
Authors: Su Xianwei , Shang Xiaojia , Che Yusi , Li Shaolong , Song Jianxun , He Jilin
Published: April 2021

Homogenous ZrCxOy powders have been successfully synthesized by in-situ electro-reduction of solid ZrO2-C composite precursors in molten CaCl2. The effect of applied cell voltage and molar ratio of ZrO2 to C on preparation of ZrCxOy were investigated. The reduction pathway of the composite electrode was studied based on the analysis of intermediate products using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that ZrO2 is firstly converted to CaZrO3. The resulting CaZrO3 is then reduced to ZrCxOy. The ZrCxOy formation is dramatically influenced by electrolysis voltage and molar ratio of ZrO2 to C: a higher cell voltage and lower molar ratio of the ZrO2 to C are more preferable for the formation of ZrCxOy powder. Homogenous ZrCxOy powders with particle size of ~100 nm are synthesized by ZrO2 /C starting elemental powders in CaCl2 molten salt at 1123 K for more than 3 h, when the cell voltage is 3.0 V and the molar ratio of the ZrO2 to carbon starting materials is 1:1.0.
Fabrication and Study of LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3-δ and Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-δ Composite Cathode
Authors: Tao Zetian , Liu Yong , Fu Min , Dai Hailu
Published: April 2021

In this paper, the composite cathode material of of LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3-δ(LNF) and Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-δ(SSC) is investigated and the cell performance of BaCe0.7Y0.2Zr0.1O3-δ(BZCY)-based proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell (H-SOFC) is evaluated. LNF powders and SSC powders with different ratios (1:0, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, 0:1 wt. %) are mixed as the composite cathode to explore the optimized composition. The phase structure of the fabricated cathode powders is analyzed through X-ray diffraction method (XRD) and no second phase was observed below 1000oC, showing good chemical compatibility. The electrochemical properties consisted of I-V and EIS curves reveal that the single cell with LNF-SSC73 cathode has the best electrochemical performance, exhibiting a polarization resistance of 0.10 Ω·cm2 and a relatively high maximum power density of 636 mWcm2 at 700oC. These results above indicate that LNF-SSC73 composite material could improve the performance of fuel cells, which would be a prospective material in the field of H-SOFC.
Corollary of Energy Transfer On Luminescence From Ce3+ / Eu3+ Co-Activated Glasses For White Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Lakkamraju Vijayalakshmi , Kumar K. Naveen , Baek Jong Dae , Hwang Pyung
Published: April 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Ablation of Al2O3f/Al2O3 Composites Under Oxyacetylene Torch Flame
Authors: Yang Xiang , Wen Zhang , xin Zhu Cheng , Yi Wang , hang Peng Zhi , na Chen Xiao , wei Ma Yin , Feng Cao
Published: April 2021

Continuous alumina fibers reinforced alumina matrix composites (Al2O3f/Al2O3 composites) were produced by following the sol-gel process effectively, while the ablation behavior was analyzed and compared by means of oxyacetylene torch flame test. The results suggested that Al2O3f/Al2O3 composites showed excellent ablation resistance, but no obvious cracks, pits or holes after ablation. The mass and thickness of the sample were barely changed after ablation. After ablation for 120s at 1800℃, the surface morphology of composite material showed no significant change. With the increase of ablation temperature, there were visible signs of high-temperature and high-pressure gas erosion found on the surface of composites. Then, the molten black material began to appear on the surface, and the delamination phenomenon occurred finally. After ablation at 2200℃, the surface of composites became uneven, manifesting large-scale black molten particles, and the area affected by ablation was increasing obvious.
Evaluation of gridded meteorological datasets and their potential hydrological application to a humid area with scarce data for Pirapama River basin, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Viana Jussara Freire de Souza , Montenegro Suzana Maria Gico Lima , Silva Bernardo Barbosa da , Silva Richarde Marques da , Sriniva Raghavan , Santos Celso Augusto Guimarães , Araújo Diego Cezar dos Santos , Tavares Clara Gadelha
Published: April 2021

This work evaluated the simulation of streamflow using observed and estimated gridded meteorological datasets and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for a humid area with scarce data in northeastern Brazil. The coefficient of determination (R²), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NS), root mean square error (RMSE), normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), and percent bias (PBIAS) were used to assess the SWAT results yielded by estimated and observed rainfall data. The hydrological modeling data from three streamflow stations were used (2000 to 2006 for calibration and 2007 to 2010 for validation). The results show that at daily scale, the estimated rainfall data show a poor agreement (R² ranging from 0.22−0.04) with the observed rainfall but good agreement at monthly (R² = 0.85) and annual scales (R² = 0.80). The results showed that estimated accumulated precipitation overestimated the observed data. The results showed that R² ranged from 0.51−0.55 at monthly scale and 0.44−0.52 at annual scale. However, the global data can represent well the variability of rainfall within the region. The results indicated a good correlation in the seasonal variability (R² ranged from 0.72−0.60). The modeling results using monthly TRMM data and observed rainfall data showed good values of NS and R² during calibration and validation, but PBIAS was unsatisfactory for the three streamflow gauges. The streamflow estimates from the SWAT model using data from the TRMM satellite showed that such data are capable of generating satisfactory results after calibration, although measured rainfall data presented better results; the data could support areas with scarce rainfall data and be applied to other river basins, for example, to analyze the hydrological potential of other basins in the coastal region of northeastern Brazil. Over the past three decades, considerable advances have been made in remote sensing with environmental satellites, increasing the amount of information available, including rainfall estimates. In this context, the use of TRMM data to estimate rainfall has ultimately been shown to be an interesting alternative for areas with scarce rainfall data.
Pedigree Investigation, Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis Analysis of Hematological Disease Patients with Germline TET2 Mutation
Authors: Wu Xia , Deng Jili , Zhang Nanchen , Liu Xiaoyan , Zheng Xue , Yan Tianyou , Ye Wu , Gong Yuping
Published: April 2021

Background: More and more germline gene mutations have been discovered in hematological malignances with the development of next gene sequencing (NGS). Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) is one of the most common mutation genes in hematological neoplasms. We aimed to analyzed whether germline TET2 mutation has a family aggregation or is a tumor predisposition gene. Further we compared its impact with somatic TET2 mutation in hematological diseases.Methods: A total cohort of 103 hematological patients with TET2 mutation were included from December 2016 to December 2019. Data were extracted from hematology department of West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) as somatic DNA origin to be detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS), and nails and hairs as germline DNA origin to be detected by Sanger sequencing, respectively. Further, we compared the clinical characteristics between the patients with germline and somatic TET2 mutation.Results: 103 patients were included, including 33 (32.03%) patients with germline TET2 mutation and 70 (67.97%) patients with somatic TET2 mutation. Variant allele frequency (VAF) of germline TET2 mutation was more stable in our study, ranging from 40% to 55% and mutation sites were more concentrated. Patients with germline TET2 mutation were younger with median age 48 (range, 16-82) (P=0.0078). Further, patients with germline TET2 mutation were mainly myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) (n=13, 39.4%), while patients with somatic TET2 mutation were acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (n=28, 40.0%) (P=0.0003). Germline TET2 mutation affected the distribution of peripheral blood cell count and the proportion in bone marrow (P<0.05). Germline TET2 mutation was a poor prognosis factor in MDS patients via univariate analysis (HR=5.3, 95%CI: 0.89-32.2, P=0.0209), but not in multivariate analysis by Cox regression model (P=0.062).Conclusions: Some family members were asymptomatic carriers, which indicated germline TET2 mutation might have a family aggregation. More importantly, TET2 gene may be a predisposition gene of hematological malignant when the other gene mutations as the second hit. The VAF of germline TET2 mutation is more stable. At the same time, the germline TET2 mutation may be an adverse factor for the MDS patients.
Clinical Values and Functional Analysis Of KMT2A/B/C/D/E/F in Gastric Cancer by Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Su Xianhao , Li Qiuyue , Liu Shaoqun , Cao Yiou , Xu Ye , WU Yibin
Published: April 2021

KMT2A/B/C/D/E/F have been identified be involved in the tumor progression of gastric cancer (GC). However, the clinical significance and function of the 6 KMT2s have not yet been analyzed. Here, we investigated the transcriptional and survival data of KMT2s family genes in GC based on integrated bioinformatics analysis. cBioPortal was used to analyze the alteration frequency and functional networks of KMT2s in GC. And GO and KEGG pathways were also identified. Gene enrichment analysis was performed to investigate the networks of kinase, miRNAs and transcription factor target. We found that KMT2s were highly expressed in GC, and associated with tumor stages and grades. Besides, higher KMT2s expression were significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (FP) and post-progression survival (PPS). Also, promoter methylation levels of KMT2s were positively associated with KMT2s expression and clinical data. Moreover, high mutation rate of KMT2s (40%) was also observed in GC patients. Functional networks analysis suggested that KMT2s might regulate histone lysine methylation and chromatin organization via PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways involving in some kinase, miRNA and transcription factor. Taken together, these findings suggested that KMT2A/B/C/D/E/F may be prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers of patients with GC.
Development and Validation of a Novel 13-Genes Prognostic Model for Colon Cancer
Authors: Yun Duo , Yang Zhirong
Published: April 2021

Colon cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. The purpose of this study is to explore the prognostic value of genes in colon cancer. After analyzing gene expression profiles, differential expressed genes between 39 normal tissues and 398 tumor tissues were identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We use Cox and lasso regression to find genes related to prognosis. Through analysis, 13 genes were found to predict the overall survival of colon cancer patients. In addition, the external comparing of gene expression and the single prognostic gene survival analysis were made. Finally, pathway enrichment and mutation status of each gene were also analyzed. After a series of bioinformatics analysis, we select 13 survival-related signature and established a prognostic risk model based on these genes. The prognostic risk model was developed to comprehensively predict the overall survival of colon cancer patients. The prognostic value of the 13-genes (CLDN23,HAND1,IL23A,KLHL35,SIX2,UPK2,HOXC11,KRT6B,SRCIN1,TNNI3,TYRO3,MIR6835,LINC02474) related risk score for each colon cancer patent was calculated to predict the survival. Furthermore, five genes (SIX2 MIR6835 LINC02474 CLDN23 HOXC11) were significantly associated with overall survival (OS). The KEGG pathway enrichment results suggested that most of the pathways are related to the occurrence, metabolism, proliferation and invasion of the tumor cells. It was found that the expression of 13-genes signature can be used as prognostic indicator for colon cancer patients. The 13-genes signature predictive model may help clinicians provide a prognosis and personalized treatment for colon cancer patients.
MarginProbe Radiofrequency Spectroscopy with Intraoperative Pathology Assessment: Synergistic, or Redundant?
Authors: Qafiti Fred , Layton Christina , McDonald Kerry-Ann
Published: April 2021

Background:Published MarginProbe (MP) data reports ≥50% reduction in positive lumpectomy margins. Standard of care (SOC) in our facility uses intraoperative pathologic gross assessment for invasive cancer. We sought to determine if adjunctive use of MP would provide incremental value over gross assessment alone. Methods:This is a single-site, single-surgeon retrospective chart review of 86 consecutive lumpectomies with MP from 12/2018–11/2019. Margins were considered positive using SSO/ASTRO “no ink on tumor” consensus guideline for invasive cancer, and SSO/ASTRO/ASCO consensus guideline of 2mm or greater for pure DCIS. Significance was measured using Fisher’s exact two-tailed test.Results:76 patients (7 bilateral, 3 unilateral/multi-focal) yielded 86 lumpectomies for inclusion. Mean age was 69.8 and mean tumor size was 1.09cm. 68 invasive cancers were assessed using adjunct MP and gross assessment while 18 DCIS cases utilized MP only. Among all cases, gross assessment alone reduced positive margins from 27.9% to 19.8% (29.2% relative reduction, p=0.28). Utilizing both modalities in tandem, positive margins decreased from 27.9% to 9.3% (66.7% relative reduction, p<0.01) representing a 46.9% relative reduction versus gross assessment alone. Main specimen tissue volume was 27.1cc. After gross assessment and MarginProbe evaluation, there was additional excised volume that averaged 2.9 cc. Total averaged excised volume was 33 cc. This compares to the reported 40-60 cc average in multiple studies.Conclusion:Adjunctive use of MP with gross assessment maximizes reduction of positive margins during breast conserving surgery while minimizing impact on specimen volumes.
Machine Learning to Predict Post-Operative Acute Kidney Injury Stage 3 After Heart Transplantation
Authors: Li Tingyu , Yang Yuelong , Huang Jinsong , Chen Rui , Wu Yijin , Li Zhuo , Lin Guisen , Liu Hui , Wu Min
Published: April 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) stage 3, one of the most severe complications in patients with heart transplantation (HT), is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. We aimed to develop a machine learning (ML) model to predict post-transplant AKI stage 3 based on preoperative and perioperative features.
Methods

Data from 107 consecutive HT recipients in the provincial center between 2018 and 2020 were included for analysis. Logistic regression with L2 regularization was used for the ML model building. The predictive performance of the ML model was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) in 10-fold stratified cross-validation and was compared with that of the existing clinical metrics.
Results

Post-transplant AKI occurred in 71 (66.3%) patients including 13 (12.1%) stage 1, 13 (12.1%) stage 2, and 45 (42.1%) stage 3 cases. The top four features selected for the ML model to predicate AKI stage 3 were serum cystatin C, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), right atrial long-axis dimension, and serum creatinine (SCr). The predictive performance of the ML model (AUC: 0.828; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.745–0.913) was significantly higher compared with that of the existing clinical metrics including eGFR (AUC: 0.694; 95%[CI]: 0.594–0.795, p < 0.05) and SCr (AUC: 0.525; 95%[CI]: 0.411–0.636), p < 0.001).
Conclusions

The ML model, which achieved an effective predictive performance for post-transplant AKI stage 3, may be helpful for timely intervention to improve the patient’s prognosis.
InChI Version 1.06: Now More Than 99.99 % Reliable
Authors: Bolton Evan , Goodman Jonathan M , Heller Stephen R , Pletnev Igor , Thiessen Paul
Published: April 2021

The software for the IUPAC Chemical Identifier, InChI, is extraordinarily reliable. It has been tested on large databases around the world, and has proved itself to be an essential tool in the handling and integration of large chemical databases. InChI version 1.05 was released in January 2017 and v. 1.06 in December 2020. In this paper, we report on the current state of InChI Software, the details of the improvements in the v.1.06 release , and the results of a test of the InChI run on PubChem, a database of more than a hundred million molecules. The upgrade introduces significant new features, including support for pseudo-element atoms and an improved description of polymers. We expect that few, if any, applications using the standard InChI will need to change as a result of the changes in version 1.06. Numerical instability was discovered for 0.002 % of this database, and a small number of other molecules were discovered for which the algorithm did not run smoothly. On the basis of PubChem data, we can demonstrate that InChI version 1.05 was 99.996 % accurate, and InChI version 1.06 represents a step closer to perfection. Finally, we look forward to future releases and extensions for the InChI Chemical identifier.
Production of Nimn2o4 Hollow Spheres and Cofe2o4 Bowl-Like Structures by Using Block Copolymer Stabilized Polystyrene Spheres as a Hard Template
Authors: Kocak Gökhan , Bütün Vural
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study is to highlight the use of polystyrene (PS) latexes stabilized with block copolymers as a hard template in the production of metal oxide hollow spheres. PS latexes produced by dispersion polymerization by stabilizing with tertiary amine methacrylate-based diblock copolymer were used as a hard template in the preparation of nickel manganese oxide (NiMn2O4) hollow spheres and iron cobalt oxide (CoFe2O4) bowl-like structures. Thanks to the diblock copolymer stabilizer with tertiary amine functional groups on the PS surface, precursor salts of CoFe2O4 and NiMn2O4 were first homogeneously deposited on the surface of PS latexes with a controlled precipitation technique. Then, metal oxide hollow spheres and bowl-like structures were produced by calcination. XRD results showed that CoFe2O4 and NiMn2O4 structures were successfully obtained after calcination. The thermogravimetric analysis results showed that the CoFe2O4 and NiMn2O4 contents of the hybrid PS spheres were in the range of 26.0-28.6 wt%. SEM images showed that the inorganic-polymer spheres fused with each other after calcination to form larger magnetic CoFe2O4 bowl-like structures. SEM images also indicated successful production of highly rough NiMn2O4 hollow spheres with nano-sheets on the surface.
Structural, electronic, optical and thermoelectric analysis of Rb/Cs2TeBr6 Vacancy ordered double perovskites
Authors: Ali Malak Azmat , Murtaza G.
Published: April 2021

It is compulsory to develop technologies able to generate energy at negligible cost to the environment. Therefore, in present work, lead free vacancy ordered double perovskites Rb/Cs2TeBr6 were reported as green energy materials on basis of full potential linearized augmented plane wave method calculations. The study has been carried out in terms of structural, electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties. It was noted from values of tolerance factor and formation energy that both Rb/Cs2TeBr6 compounds are stable in perovskite structure. The band gaps were calculated in close resemblance with experiments. These values (2.09 eV Rb2TeBr6 and 2.10 eV for Cs2TeBr6 with EV-GGA) were examined in visible range of electromagnetic spectrum. The optical properties such as real and imaginary parts of dielectric function, optical conductivity and reflectivity ensured the use of Rb/Cs2TeBr6 compounds for solar cell applications. Also, the reasonable values of Seebeck coefficients and figure of merit proposed the studied compounds for thermoelectric power generation.
Lack of improvement in sepsis care on the wards: results of four consecutive yearly point-prevalence studies in Wales
Authors: Kopczynska Maja , Unwin Harry , Pugh Richard , Sharif Ben , Chandy Thomas , Davies Daniel , Shield Matthew , Purchase David , Tilley Samuel , Poacher Arwel , Oliva Lewis , Willis Sam , Ray Isabelle , Hui John , Payne Bethan , Wardle Eilis , Andrew Fi , Chan Hei Priscilla , Barrington Jack , Hale Jay , Hawkins Joanna , Nicholas Jess , Wirt Lara , Thomas Lowri , Walker Megan , Pan Myat , Ray Tallulah , Asim Umair , Maidman Victoria , Atiyah Zeid , Nasser Zain , Tan Zhao , Tan Laura , Szakmany Tamas , Collaborators Welsh Digital Data Collection Platform
Published: April 2021

Background: The ‘Sepsis Six’ bundle was promoted as a more deliverable tool outside of the critical care settings, but there is very little data available on the progress and change of sepsis care outside the critical care environment in the UK. Our aim was to compare the yearly prevalence, outcome and the Sepsis Six bundle compliance in patients at risk of mortality from sepsis in non-intensive care environments. Methods: Patients with a National Early Warning Score (NEWS) of 3 or above and suspected or proven infection were enrolled into four yearly 24-hour point prevalence studies, carried out in fourteen hospitals across Wales from 2016-2019. Results: Out of the 26,947 patients screened 1,651 fulfilled inclusion criteria and were recruited. The full ‘Sepsis Six’ care bundle was completed on 223 (14.0%) occasions, with no significant difference between the years. On 190 (11.5%) occasions none of the bundle elements were completed. There was no significant correlation between bundle element compliance, NEWS or year of study. One hundred and seventy (10.7%) patients were seen by critical care outreach; the ‘Sepsis Six’ bundle was completed significantly more often in this group (54/170, 32.0%) than for patients who were not reviewed by critical care outreach (168/1385, 11.6%; p<0.0001)Overall, 1349 patients (81.2%) survived to 30 days with a mean survival time of 26.5 days (95% CI 26.1-26.9) with no difference between each year of study. 90-day survival for years 2017 – 2019 was 74.7%, with no difference between the years. In multivariate regression we identified older age, heart failure, recent chemotherapy, higher frailty score and do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation orders as significantly associated with increased 30-day mortality. Conclusions: Our data suggests that despite efforts to increase sepsis awareness within the NHS, there is poor compliance with the sepsis care bundles and no change in the high mortality over the study period. Further research is needed to determine which time-sensitive ward-based interventions can reduce mortality in patients with sepsis and how can these results be embedded to routine clinical practice.Trial registration: Defining Sepsis on the Wards ISRCTN 86502304 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN86502304 prospectively registered 09/05/2016
Beta-lactam vs Fluoroquinolone Monotherapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Reid Eric , Walters Ryan , Destache Christopher
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections. A variety of antibiotic classes are used in the treatment of PA infections, including beta-lactams (BLs) and fluoroquinolones (FQs), given either together in combination therapy or alone in monotherapy. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of BL agents versus FQ agents as active, definitive monotherapy in PA infections in adults.Methods: Comprehensive literature searches of Medline and Scopus electronic databases, alongside hand searches of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, and Google Scholar, were performed without time restriction to identify studies published in English comparing BL and FQ agents given as monotherapy for PA infection in hospitalized adults for which mortality, bacteriological eradication, or clinical response was evaluated. One reviewer screened search results based on pre-defined selection criteria. Two reviewers independently assessed included studies for methodological quality using NIH assessment tools. Two fixed-effects meta-analyses were performed.Results: A total of 368 articles were screened, and 6 studies involving 338 total patients were included in the meta-analysis. Upon evaluation of methodological quality, 2 studies were rated good, 3 fair, and 1 poor. A meta-analysis of 3 studies demonstrates FQ monotherapy is associated with significantly improved survival compared to BL monotherapy for patients with PA bacteremia (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.27-10.44; p=.02). A meta-analysis of 3 studies demonstrates FQ monotherapy is associated with equivalent bacteriological eradication compared to BL monotherapy for PA pneumonia or skin and soft tissue infection (RD, 0.07; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.24; p=.39).Conclusion: The meta-analyses demonstrate FQ monotherapy significantly improves survival in PA bacteremia and is associated with similar rates of bacteriological eradication in pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infection caused by PA compared to BL monotherapy. However, more research is needed to make meaningful clinical recommendations.
UBE2T knockdown inhibits cell growth and metastasis of breast cancer through Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Xueqin Tao , Jinhong Mei , Yuping Huang
Published: April 2021

Background: Emerging evidences have demonstrated that Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) is dysregulated and play critical roles in various cancers. With the development of sequencing technology, studies have discovered that UBE2T is overexpressed in breast cancer tissues. However, the biological roles of UBE2T in breast cancer are still far to clear. In the present study, Methods: We analyzed the UBE2T expression in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to assess the expression of UBE2T in breast cancer cell lines. Cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were determined by using CCK-8, EdU, Transwell and western blot assays.Results: UBE2T was highly expressed in breast cancer cell lines. Functional analysis revealed that silence or elevation of UBE2T inhibited or promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related markers of MCF-7 cells. Mechanically, blocking of Wnt/β-catenin pathway by XAV939 reversed the promotion effect of UBE2T overexpression on breast cancer cells’ proliferation, migration and invasion.Conclusion: Our findings emphasized that UBE2T may act as an oncogene via activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which may provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer.
YBX1 promotes laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma progression via activating MAPK/ERK signaling as a target of miR-382-5p
Authors: Zeng Wen , Pan Yiyun , Luo Keqing , Tian Keqiang , Li Rong , Zhang Xiangmin
Published: April 2021

Background. Y-box binding protein-1 (YBX1) influences the onset and progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains unknown. The present study therefore sought to explore the mechanistic role of YBX1 in LSCC. Methods.Analyses of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and associated bioinformatics analyses revealed that YBX1 was upregulated in LSCC, and we further confirmed this result using primary LSCC patient samples. We additionally explored the impact of siRNA-mediated YBX1 knockdown on LSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion using CCK8, wound healing, and Transwell assays. We then conducted interrogated miRNA databases and conducted subsequent luciferase reporter assays to confirm that miR-382-5p binds to YBX1. Additional studies of the mechanisms downstream of this miR-382-5p/YBX1 axis focused on detecting the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signaling-related genes via qPCR and Western blotting. Results.We detected significant upregulation of YBX1 in LSCC tumors that was significantly correlated with advanced TNM stage and poor patient prognosis. Knockdown of YBX1 markedly impaired the proliferative, invasive, and migratory activity of Tu212 cells in vitro. From a mechanistic perspective, miR-382-5p was found to bind to the YBX1 3’-untranslated region and to thereby inhibit LSCC progression. We further confirmed that miR-382-5p negatively regulated YBX1 to inhibit proliferation via the MAPK/ ERK signaling axis in LSCC. Conclusion.Together, our results indicated that YBX1 is an important promoter of LSCC progression, and that miR-382-5p can suppress YBX1 expression and inactivate MAPK/ERK signaling. These findings may thus highlight novel and promising prognostic and therapeutic targets in the context of LSCC.
Radiofrequency ablation, TACE and combined treatment for multiple recurrent HCC patients within the Milan criteria
Authors: Zhang Bo , Wan Juan , Xu Xi , Li Yongkun , Lv Tao , Yang Jiayin
Published: April 2021

Aim The aim of this study was to compare radiofrequency ablation ,TACE and their combined treatment in terms of safety and efficacy.Methods Retrospective analysis was carried out on the medical records of patients who had previously undergone curative hepatic resection and suffered multiple recurrent HCCs within the Milan criteria. The cohort of patients receiving RFA was compared to the cohort of patients receiving TACE and combined treatment. Disease outcome was investigated in terms of survival after recurrence.Results From January 2006 to April 2014, 964 patients with recurrent HCC were enrolled in the database of West China Hospital. A total of 360 patients (37.3%) were enrolled in this retrospective study based on the inclusion criteria. In these patients, 177 (49.2%) received TACE, 121 (33.6%) received RFA, and 62 (17.2%) underwent combined treatment (CT). There was a statistically significant difference between the survival rates among the 3 groups: in the TACE group, the median survival time (MST) was 25 months, with 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of 93.1%, 50.0% and 26.4%, respectively; in the RFA group, the MST was 33 months, with 1- ,2-, and 3-year survival rates of 96.7%, 65.7% and 40.1%, respectively; and in the CT group, the MST was 36 months, with 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of 96.8%, 78.1% and 48.6%, respectively.Conclusion Compared with TACE, RFA and combined treatment demonstrated a survival benefit for managing patients who had HCC recurrence with a total of 2–3 tumours.
Successful outcome after intralesional curettage for spindle cell hemangioma of fibula: a case report
Authors: Wang Rufa , Han Tao , Zhou Xiaoguang
Published: April 2021

BackgroundSpindle cell hemangioma (SCH), a non-neoplastic reactive vascular lesion, rarely locates in bones. We herein report a successful case of intralesional curettage for an infant with SCH of fibula.Case presentationA 11-month-old male patient was admitted to our center with a painless mass in right proximal calf. Preoperative digital radiograph demonstrated a massive vascular lesion with an irregular bone destruction of proximal fibula. The lesion was removed via the intralesional curettage approach and pathologically diagnosed as SCH. After the surgery, the patient gained bone structure recovery of right proximal fibula. Two years after the surgery, he experienced no local recurrence.ConclusionFor the management of SCH of fibula with partial bone destruction, we suggest early-stage intralesional curettage as its safety and effectiveness.
The efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccine: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: XUE XiaLi , Deng Zhongyi , Li Ning , Zhou Ling , Wang Nan , Xu Fan , Wang Xiaokun
Published: April 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the most wide-spread and threatening infectious diseases in human history. Experts in the field of medicine and biology are working to develop methods to treat and prevent COVID-19. Currently, COVID-19 is predominantly treated with symptomatic therapy and there is still a lack of effective antiviral therapy. Therefore, the prevention and control of novel coronavirus is primarily focused on vaccine development. Several vaccines have been developed, but their relative efficacy and safety have not been proven. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.Methods and analysis: The electronic databases we will use to retrieve information include PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database and Weipu Electronics. The retrieval period is from the establishment of the database to March 2021. All randomized controlled trials in humans vaccinated with COVID-19 were collected, and data were independently selected and extracted according to predesigned inclusion/exclusion criteria. Full-text screening, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. Two additional investigators will conduct report quality, risk of bias, sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis to ensure the reliability of our study results. The software RevMan 5.3 was used for statistical analysis. Systematic review and meta-analyses will be conducted to evaluate the pooled evidence of efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines.Result: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines.Conclusion: The conclusions of this study will provide an evidence-based analysis of the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021242581
The causal role of magnesium deficiency in the neuroinflammation, pain hypersensitivity and memory/emotional deficits in ovariectomized and aging mice
Authors: Liu Xian-guo , Zhang Jun , Mai Chun-lin , Xiong Ying , Lin Zhen-Jia , Jie Ying-Tao , Mai Jie-Zhen , Liu Chong , Xie Man-Xiu , Zhou Xin
Published: April 2021

Background: Postmenopausal women often suffer from chronic pain, memory decline and mood depression. The mechanisms underlying the neuronal disorders are not fully understood and effective treatment is still lacking.Methods: Oral administration of magnesium-L-threonate was tested to treat the neuronal disorders in ovariectomized and aging mice. The pain hypersensitivity, memory function and depression were measured with a set of behavioral tests. Western blots and immunochemistry were used to assess molecular changes.Results: Chronic oral administration of magnesium-L-threonate substantially prevented or reversed the chronic pain, and memory/emotional deficits in both ovariectomized and aging female mice. We found that phospho-p65, an active form of nuclear factor-kappaB, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta were significantly upregulated in the neurons of dorsal root ganglion, spinal dorsal horn and hippocampus in ovariectomized and aging mice. The microglia and astrocytes were activated in spinal dorsal horn and hippocampus. The peptidergic C-fibers in dorsal horn were increased, which are associated with potentiation of C-fiber-mediated synaptic transmission in the model mice. In parallel with neuroinflammation and synaptic potentiation, free Mg2+ levels in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and dorsal root ganglion neurons were significantly reduced. Oral magnesium-L-threonate normalized the neuroinflammation, synaptic potentiation and Mg2+ deficiency, but did not affect the estrogen decline in ovariectomized and aging mice. Furthermore, in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons estrogen elevated intracellular Mg2+, and depressed the upregulation of phospho-p65, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta exclusively in the presence of extracellular Mg2+.Conclusions: Estrogen decline in menopause causes neuroinflammation by reducing intracellular Mg2+ in neurons, leading to chronic pain, memory/emotional deficits. Thus, supplement Mg2+ by oral magnesium-L-threonate may be a novel approach for treating menopause-related neuronal disorders.
A Questionnaire-Based Assessment of Functional Dry Eye Disease in Working-class Population in Shanghai, China
Authors: Wang Nianhong , Chen Dan , Liu Yan , Weng Huan , Wang Huiying , Xiao Weibao
Published: April 2021

Background

To investigate the current status, morbidity, and risk factors of functional dry eye disease (DED) in Shanghai's working-class population. On this basis, exploring measures and methods to fundamentally cure and prevent functional DED.
Methods

A questionnaire form was used to record the data of the diagnosed functional DED working-class subjects in Shanghai, the results were recorded and analyzed. Additionally, the subjective symptoms of DED subjects and the respective clinical results were also recorded. The classification and corneal staining between subjects who wear contact lens or without were compared. The correlation of classification and corneal staining with their risk factors were also analyzed.
Results

The risk factors of functional DED showed much in common though their works have professional particularity. EDE accounts for a large proportion of DED (45.35%), many subjects coexist symptoms and signs of mixed DED (32.64%). The age of 21–40 is the peak year range (70.4%). Contact lens, visual terminals, air-conditioner, decoration, stay up later, sleep disorder, smoking were risk factors in most functional DED subjects. Notably, contact lens is a leading risk factor to cause functional DED and ocular surface complications (both were p < 0.01), while deep sleep seems to be a protective factor (p < 0.01%).
Conclusion

The incidence of functional DED in Shanghai is kept in a high level, most risk factors are closely related to daily work and life, while they are almost reversible. Exploring and eradicating these daily risk factors seems to be a more preferable way to fundamentally control and prevent functional DED.
Modelling the damage costs of invasive alien species
Authors: Ahmed Danish A. , Hudgins Emma J. , Cuthbert Ross N. , Haubrock Phillip J. , Renault David , Bonnaud Elsa , Diagne Christophe , Courchamp Franck
Published: April 2021

The rate of biological invasions is growing unprecedentedly, threatening ecological and socioeconomic systems worldwide. Quantitative understandings of invasion temporal trajectories are essential to discern current and future economic impacts of invaders, and then to inform future management strategies. Here, we examine the temporal trends of cumulative invasion costs by developing and testing a novel mathematical model with a population dynamical approach based on logistic growth. This model characterises temporal cost developments into four curve types (I - IV), each with distinct mathematical and qualitative properties, allowing for the parameterization of maximum cumulative costs, carrying capacities and growth rates. We test our model using damage cost data for eight genera (Rattus, Aedes, Canis, Oryctolagus, Sturnus, Ceratitis, Sus and Lymantria) extracted from the InvaCost database – which is the most up-to-date and comprehensive global compilation of economic cost estimates associated with invasive alien species. We find fundamental differences in the temporal dynamics of damage costs among genera, indicating they depend on invasion duration, species ecology and impacted sectors of economic activity. The fitted cost curves indicate a lack of broadscale support for saturation between invader density and impact, including for Canis, Oryctolagus and Lymantria, whereby costs continue to increase with no sign of saturation. For other taxa, predicted saturations may arise from data availability issues resulting from an underreporting of costs in many invaded regions. Overall, this population dynamical approach can produce cost trajectories for additional existing and emerging species, and can estimate the ecological parameters governing the linkage between population dynamics and cost dynamics.
Improving the sexual health of young people (under 25) in high-risk populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of behavioural and psychosocial interventions.
Authors: Brown Ellie , Monaco Samantha L Lo , O'Donoghue Brian , Hughes Elizabeth , Graham Melissa , Simmons Magenta , Gray Richard
Published: April 2021

Background Ensuring young people experience good sexual health is a key public health concern. Yet, some vulnerable groups of young people are at higher risk of poor sexual health, and consequently require additional support to achieve good sexual health. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to identify and assess the evidence base for behavioural and psychosocial interventions to improve sexual health for young people with additional vulnerabilities.Methods We searched for randomised controlled trials of interventions aimed at promoting sexual health, with any non-pharmacological comparator (e.g., waitlist control). Key outcomes of interest were indicators of sexual health (e.g., condom use, attitudes to contraception, knowledge of risk). Participants in eligible trials were under 25 years old and in a high-risk group (alcohol and other drug use; justice-involved; homeless; LGBTQI+; mental ill-health; ethnic minority, or out-of-home care). The final literature searches were performed on 16 September 2020, on MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus and clinical trial registries. Meta-analyses were conducted where possible.Results Forty-seven papers from 46 trials of the 5213 identified met inclusion criteria, with all but one of the included trials conducted in North America. Three focused predominantly on AOD, six on juvenile justice, two on homelessness, five on young men who have sex with men (YMSM), 26 on ethnic minorities, two on mental ill-health, three on out-of-home care, however no trials were identified in LGBTQI + groups outside of YMSM. The 47 included papers had a combined total of 21,543 participants. The vast majority (26/46) of trials were conducted with ethnic minority groups, with most of the interventions delivered as group therapy, and some involving parents and caregivers. Condom use was the most frequently reported outcome measure. In trials targeting ethnic minorities, the meta-analysis found a medium effect size (0.62, p = 0.0004) of the intervention on condom use.Conclusions There remains a dearth of research undertaken outside of North America, and in high-risk groups other than ethnic minorities. Future interventions should address sexual health more broadly than just the absence of negative biological outcomes with LGBTQI+, homeless and mental ill-health populations targeted for such work.This review was registered at Prospero (ref. 149810) and at osf.io/ukva9.
Clinical significance of serum AMH and INHB in girls with precocious puberty
Authors: Liu Qingxu , Yin Xiaoqin , Li Pin
Published: April 2021

Background: Precocious puberty is the second sexual characteristic of girls before 8 years old. The diagnosis of central precocious puberty (CPP) needs to evaluate ovarian function, and ultrasound examination is an auxiliary means for the evaluation of ovary at present. The serum levels of AMH and INHB might be markers of evaluation of ovary according the former research. We investigated the clinical features, serum sex hormones, serum levels of AMH and INHB in 184 girls with precocious puberty, which provided deeper insight into the clinical significance of AMH and INHB in female precocious puberty. Methods: We evaluated 184 girls with precocious puberty at the Department of Endocrinology of Shanghai Children's Hospital from 2017 to 2021, which was consisted of PT, Tanner stage 2 CPP and Tanner stage 3 CPP. We analysed clinical data from the patients including clinical manifestations, AMH, INHB and other hormone levels, and we analysed AMH and INHB in normal control group either.Results: The PT group (P = 0.031) and Tanner stage 2 CPP group (P = 0.006) exhibited significantly higher AMH level than that in normal control group. AMH level showed no significant difference among PT group, Tanner stage 2 CPP group and Tanner stage 3 CPP group. The Tanner stage 2 CPP group exhibited significantly higher level of INHB than that in Tanner stage 3 CPP group (P = 0.013) and normal control group (P = 0.007). AMH and INHB were positively correlated in the four groups, especially in the PT group (r = 0.694**, P < 0.01). AMH and basal LH were positively correlated in PT group (r = 0.296*, P < 0.01). AMH or INHB showed no correlation with chronical age, bone age, uterine volume, ovarian volume, BMI, E2, SHBG, peak LH, basal FSH, peak FSH, IGF-1 or IGF-BP3. The ROC analysis showed that the AUC of AMH or INHB was relatively low. Conclusions: In this research, the serum AMH and INHB in 184 girls with precocious puberty were analysed. The PT group and Tanner stage 2 CPP group exhibited significantly higher AMH level than that in normal control group. The Tanner stage 2 CPP group exhibited significantly higher level of INHB than that in Tanner stage 3 CPP group and normal control group. AMH and INHB were positively correlated in the four groups, especially in the PT group. ROC analysis showed that the diagnostic performance of PT or CPP using AMH or INHB was weak.