bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use Of The Hungarian Test Your Memory (Tym-Hun), Mmse And Adas-Cog Tests For Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mci) In A Hungarian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Garbóczy Szabolcs , Magócs Éva , Szőllősi Gergő , Harsányi Szilvia , Anikó Égerházi , Kolozsvári László
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a growing disease process with aging. If we could recognize the disease at an early stage and increase the number of years spent in a better condition through preventive and treatment measures, we could reduce the pressure both directly on families and indirectly on society. There is a need for testing methods that are easy to perform even in general practitioner’s office, inexpensive and non-invasive, which could help early recognition of mental decline. We have selected Test Your Memory (TYM), which has proven to be reliable for detecting AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in several countries. Our study was designed to test the usability of the TYM-HUN comparing with the ADAS-Cog (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale) in MCI recognition in the Hungarian population. METHODS TYM test was translated and validated into Hungarian (TYM-HUN). The TYM-HUN test was used in conjunction with and compared with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the ADAS-Cog. For our study, 50 subjects were selected, 25 MCI patients and 25 healthy controls. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the scores of MMSE and ADAS-Cog with TYM-HUN. RESULTS MCI can be distinguished from AD and normal aging using ADAS-Cog and MMSE is a useful tool to detect dementia. We established a 'cut-off' point of TYM-HUN (44/45points) where optimal sensitivity and specificity values were obtained to screen MCI. The total TYM-HUN scores significantly correlated with the MMSE scores (ρ=0.626; p<0.001) and ADAS-Cog scores (ρ=-0.723; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that the Hungarian version of TYM (TYM-HUN) is an easy, fast, self-administered questionnaire with the right low threshold regarding MCI and can be used for the early diagnosis of cognitive impairment.
Defining pain and interference recovery trajectories after acute non-catastrophic musculoskeletal trauma through Growth Mixture Modeling
Authors: Lee Joshua , Walton David M. , Tremblay Paul , May Curtis , Millard Wanda , Elliott James M. , MacDermid Joy C.
Published: March 2020

Background Recovery trajectories support early identification of delayed recovery and can inform personalized management or phenotyping of risk profiles in patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the trajectories in pain severity and functional interference following non-catastrophic musculoskeletal (MSK) trauma in an international, mixed injury sample. Methods A prospective longitudinal cohort of n= 241 was formed from patients identified within 4 weeks of trauma, from attendance at emergency or urgent care centres located in London, ON, Canada, or Chicago, IL, USA. Pain interference was measured via the Brief Pain Inventory (London cohort) or the Neck Disability Index (Chicago cohort). Pain severity was captured in both cohorts using the numeric pain rating scale. Growth mixture modeling and RM ANOVA approaches identified distinct trajectories of recovery within pain interference and pain severity data. Results For pain interference, the 3 trajectories were labeled accordingly: Class 1 = Rapid recovery (lowest intercept, full or near full recovery by 3 months, 32.0% of the sample); Class 2 = Delayed recovery (higher intercept, recovery by 12 months, 26.7% of the sample); Class 3 = Minimal or no recovery (higher intercept, persistently high interference scores at 12 months, 41.3% of the sample). For pain severity, the 2 trajectories were labeled: Class 1 = Rapid recovery (lower intercept, recovery by 3 months, 81.3% of the sample); and Class 2 = Minimal or no recovery (higher intercept, flat curve, 18.7% of the sample). The “Minimal or No Recovery” trajectory could be predicted by female sex and axial (vs. peripheral) region of trauma with 74.3% accuracy across the 3 classes for the % Interference outcome. For the Pain Severity outcome, only region (axial trauma, 81.3% accuracy) predicted the “Minimal or No Recovery” trajectory. Conclusions These results suggest that 3 meaningful recovery trajectories can be identified in an international, mixed-injury sample when pain interference is the outcome, and 2 recovery trajectories emerge when pain severity is the outcome. Females in the sample or people who suffered axial injuries (head, neck, or low back) were more likely to be classed in poor outcome trajectories.
Muscle Wasting Aggravates Rheumatoid Arthritis in Elderly Patients as a Mediator
Authors: Ma Jian-Da , Chen Chu-Tao , Lin Jian-Zi , Li Qian-Hua , Chen Le-Feng , Xu Yan-Hui , Yang Ze-Hong , Zheng Dong-Hui , Dai Lie
Published: March 2020

Background: Aging leads to loss of muscle mass causing functional limitation and reduced quality of life. Myopenia is a new universal term for the presence of clinically relevant muscle wasting. However, little is known about the prevalence of myopenia in elderly rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and its influence on RA pathogenesis and disease characteristics. We aimed to explore the characteristics of muscle mass and distribution and their clinical significance. Methods: Consecutive RA patients were recruited and clinical data including disease activity (DAS28-CRP), physical function (health assessment questionnaire disability index, HAQ-DI) and radiographic indicators (modified Sharp score) were collected. The muscle mass and distribution were assessed by bioelectric impedance analysis. Myopenia was defined as appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) ≤7.0kg/m2 (men) and ≤5.7kg/m2 (women). Results: Among 643 RA patients recruited, there were 165 (25.7%) elderly patients (age≥60 years) with mean age 65.1±4.5 years. Compared with young patients (age<60 years), elderly RA patients had significantly higher DAS28-CRP (median 3.4 vs. 3.2), HAQ-DI (0.38 vs. 0.13) and modified total Sharp score (mTSS, 16 vs. 9), as well as higher proportion of myopenia (54.5% vs. 41.4%, all P<0.01). Elderly RA patients with myopenia (n=90, 14.0%) had significantly higher DAS28-CRP (3.6 vs. 3.0), HAQ-DI (0.50 vs. 0.12) and mTSS (21 vs. 7) than those in young RA patients without myopenia (n=280, 43.5%), and had higher mTSS (21 vs. 10) than those in elderly RA patients without myopenia (n=75, 11.7%, all P<0.0083). Multiple linear regression analysis after adjustment showed that both age (10 years as a unit, β=0.065~0.108) and ASMI (β= -0.369~ -0.220, all P<0.05) were correlated with DAS28-CRP, HAQ-DI and mTSS. Mediation analysis after adjustment showed that age had total and direct effects on DAS28-CRP, HAQ-DI or mTSS. ASMI partially mediated the associations between age and DAS28-CRP, HAQ-DI or mTSS (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Our data firstly reveal that half of elderly RA patients manifest myopenia which aggravates the whole disease including disease activity, physical dysfunction and joint destruction as a mediator of age. Myopenia, a neglected complication in elderly RA should be emphasized.
Yield Prediction By Machine Learning From Uas-Based Multi-Sensor Data Fusion In Soybean﻿
Authors: Herrero-Huerta Monica , Rodriguez-Gonzalvez Pablo , Rainey Katy M.
Published: March 2020

Background Nowadays, automated phenotyping of plants is essential for precise and cost-effective improvement in the efficiency of crop genetics. In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques have shown great success in classification and modelling of crop parameters. In this research, we consider the capability of ML to perform grain yield prediction in soybeans by combining data coming from different optical sensors via RF (Random Forest) and XGBoost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting). During the 2018 growing season, a soybean experiment was performed at the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) in West Lafayette (Indiana, USA). Images were acquired by the Parrot Sequoia Multispectral Sensor and the S.O.D.A. compact digital camera on board senseFly eBee UAS (Unnamed Aircraft System) solution at different dates. Next, a standard photogrammetric pipeline is carried out by SfM (Structure from Motion). Multispectral imagery serves to analyse the spectral response of the soybean end-member in 2D. In addition, RGB images are used to reconstruct the study area in 3D, evaluating the physiological growth dynamics per plot via height variations and crop volume estimations. As ground truth, destructive grain yield measurements were taken at the end of the growing season. Results Algorithms and feature extraction techniques were combined to develop a regression model to predict final yield from imagery, achieving an accuracy of over 90.72% by RF and 91.36% by XGBoost. Conclusions Results provide practical information for the selection of phenotypes for breeding coming from UAS data as a decision support tool, affording constant operational improvement and proactive management for high spatial precision.
SETD1A augments sorafenib primary resistance via activating YAP in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: wu jugang , Li Feng , Xia Yan , Chai Hongjuan , Gu Yan
Published: March 2020

Background: Sorafenib, the approved first-line chemotherapy drug for HCC, remains the key treatment agent which can effectively improve the survival rate of advanced HCC patients. However, the sorafenib primary resistance limits the application of sorafenib for HCC treatment. The aims of current study are to explore the role and mechanism of SETD1A (Histone Lysine Methyltransferase SET Domain Containing 1A) in sorafenib primary resistance. Methods: The expression of SETD1A in HCC was analyzed by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis. The survival of HCC patients was analyzed by KM plotter: Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Western Blot and Real-time qPCR were performed to measure the protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay were performed to determine cell viability and proliferation. Propidium Iodide and Trypan Blue staining assays were performed to investigate cell death. Results: Here, we showed that the expression of SETD1A was markedly upregulated in both HCC cell lines and tumor tissues compared to normal hepatocytes and corresponding non-tumor liver tissues, respectively. The patients who had higher level of SETD1A underwent lower survival rate of overall and sorafenib treated HCC patients, respectively. In addition, SETD1A expression was positively correlated with the IC 50 of sorafenib treated HCC cell lines. Furthermore, we indicated that knockdown of SETD1 augmented proliferation inhibition and cell death induced by sorafenib. SETD1A deficiency impaired YAP phosphorylation and activation. Conclusions: Taken together, the current study demonstrated that STED1A enhanced YAP activation to induce sorafenib primary resistance in HCC.
Evaluating blood-brain barrier permeability in a rat model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ferris Craig , Qiao Ju , Lawson Christopher M , Rentrup Kilian FG , Kulkarni Praveen
Published: March 2020

Background This is an exploratory study using a novel imaging modality, quantitative ultrashort time-to-echo, contrast enhanced (QUTE-CE) magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the permeability of the blood brain barrier in a rat model of type 2 diabetes with the presumption that small vessel disease is a contributing factor to neuropathology in diabetes. Methods The BBZDR/Wor rat, a model of type 2 diabetes, and age-matched controls were studied for changes in blood brain barrier permeability. QUTE-CE, a quantitative vascular biomarker, generated angiographic images with over 500,000 voxels that were registered to a 3D MRI rat brain atlas providing site-specific information on blood-brain barrier permeability in 173 different brain areas. Results In this model of diabetes, without the support of insulin treatment, there was global capillary pathology with over 84% of the brain showing a significant increase in blood brain barrier permeability over wild-type controls. Areas of the cerebellum and midbrain dopaminergic system were not significantly affected.Conclusion Small vessel disease as assessed by permeability in the blood brain barrier in type 2 diabetes is pervasive and includes much of the brain. The increase in blood-brain barrier permeability is a likely contributing factor to diabetic encephalopathy and dementia.
β-Arrestins1 inhibit autophagy induced by hypoxic injury in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells via Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Ning Hongjuan , Deng Jingyu , Kong Delei , Chen Feng , Liu Yongfei , Shan Lina , Zhang Zheng , Hu Taohong
Published: March 2020

Background To investigate the potential effects of β-Arrestins1 on autophagy and apoptosis in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (hPAECs) under hypoxic stress. Methods The hPAECs were exposed to normoxic condition and hypoxic injury for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively. Then, to explore effects of autophagy on hPAECs with hypoxia, cells were administrated with 3-MA (an inhibitor autophagy). β-Arrestins1 was regulated to explore its effects on autophagy and apoptosis of hPAECs. Transwell cell migration assay and scratch assay were performed to detect the migration by light microscope. Then, CCK-8 assay was used to investigate the proliferation of hPAECs. Meanwhile, TUNEL assay served as apoptosis in hPAECs. In addition, Western blotting assay applied to evaluate protein expressions. Results Hypoxia contributed to hyperproliferation, migration apoptosis resistance of hPAECs. Meanwhile, autophagy was increased in hypoxic hPAECs. Excessive proliferation、migration and apoptosis resistance of hPAECs were reversed after inhibition of autophagy. Then, the β-Arrestins1 and VEGFR3 expression levels were decreased in hypoxic conditions. Moreover, the activity of Akt/mTOR signal pathway was restrained after hypoxic injury. At last, β-Arrestins1+/+ repressed the increased autophagy and apoptosis resistance of hPAECs under hypoxia. Conclusions Our study indicated that β-Arrestins1 mediated VEGFR3 reduced excessive autophagy and apoptosis resistance via Akt/mTOR pathway of hPAECs under hypoxia. It may provide a promising therapeutic target for pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH).
Differential responsiveness to BRAF inhibitors of melanoma cell lines BRAF V600E-mutated
Authors: Hashmi Muna Al , Konduru Seetharama S , Silcock Lee , Chouchane Lotfi , Mattei Valentina , James Nicola , Mathew Rebecca , Bedognetti Davide , De Giorgi Valeria , Murtas Daniela , Liu Wei , Chouchane Aouatef , Temanni Ramzi , Seliger Barbara , Wang Ena , Marincola Francesco M. , Tomei Sara
Published: March 2020

Most mutations in melanoma affect one critical amino acid on BRAF gene, resulting in the V600E substitution. Patient management is often based on the use of specific inhibitors targeting this mutation.
DNA and RNA mutation status were assessed in 15 melanoma cell lines by Sanger sequencing and RNA-seq. We tested the cell lines responsiveness to BRAF inhibitors (vemurafenib and PLX4720, BRAF-specific and sorafenib, BRAF non -specific). Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay. BRAF V600E RNA expression was assessed by qPCR.
Three cell lines were discordant in the mutation detection (BRAF V600E at DNA level/Sanger sequencing and BRAF WT on RNA-seq). We initially postulated that those cell lines may express only the WT allele at the RNA level although mutated at the DNA level. A more careful analysis showed that they express low level of BRAF RNA and the expression may be in favor of the WT allele.
We tested whether the discordant cell lines responded differently to BRAF-specific inhibitors. Their proliferation rate decreased after treatment with vemurafenib and PLX4720 but was not affected by sorafenib, suggesting a BRAF V600E biological behavior. Yet, responsiveness to the BRAF specific inhibitors was lower as compared to the control.
The results obtained were also confirmed in three additional commercial cell lines.
Cell lines carrying V600E mutations at the DNA level may respond differently to BRAF targeted treatment potentially due to a lower V600E RNA expression.
Exploring the concept and structure of obstetric triage: A qualitative content analysis
Authors: Moudi Asieh , Iravani Mina - , Najafian Mahin , Zareiyan Armin , Forouzan Arash , Mirghafourvand Mojgan
Published: March 2020

Background: Obstetric triage is a new idea, so the design and implementation of it requires identification of its concept and structure. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the concept and structure of the obstetric triage in Iran. Methods: The purposive sampling was done and it continued until reaching the theoretical saturation. Thirty-seven semi-structured interviews were conducted individually and face-to-face. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Two themes, 8 main categories, and 16 subcategories emerged from the content analysis of the interviews and observations. The themes were the concept and structure of obstetric triage. The concept of obstetric triage consisted of three categories of nature, process, and philosophy of obstetric triage. The structure of obstetric triage included five categories of assessment criteria, emergency grading, determining the appropriate location for patient guidance, initiation of diagnostic and therapeutic measures, and timeframe for initial assessment and reassessment. Conclusion: Findings highlighted that obstetric triage is a process with a dual and dynamic nature. This process involves clinical decision making to prioritize the pregnant mother and her fetus based on the severity and acuity of the disease in order to allocate medical resources and care for providing appropriate treatment at the right time and place to the right patient. The results of this study could be used for the design and implementation of the obstetric triage system.
Early essential newborn care is associated with increased breastfeeding: a quasi-experiment study from Sichuan Province of western China
Authors: Wang Chenran , Li Xiayun , Zhang Lin , Wu Linman , Tan Ling , Yuan Fei , Guo Yao , Williams Sarah , Xu Tao
Published: March 2020

Background: Breastfeeding is critical to promote maternal and child health in a short and long term. China has set national targets to further improve the exclusive breastfeeding rate. We aimed to examine associations between the provision of Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) and breastfeeding outcomes among full-term vaginally delivered neonates in the first six months of life.Methods: We conducted a quasi-experiment study in eight maternal and children’s hospitals in Mianyang City and Deyang City in Sichuan Province of western China. Four hospitals were randomly selected as the intervention group with the implementation of EENC while others as the control group receiving routine care. We assessed effects of EENC on breastfeeding initiation time, duration of first-time breastfeeding, and exclusive breastfeeding rates up to six months of age. Data in both groups were collected after delivery, at hospital discharge, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post birth in the baseline phase and post-EENC phase. Written consent was obtained from eligible mothers enrolled in this study. We performed univariate analyses to ascertain differences between the two groups, and difference in difference (DID) models to explore the net effects.Results: Of the 1349 enrolled mother and newborn pairs in our study, 1131 were followed up at 1 month of age, 1075 at 3 months, and 981 at 6 months. EENC was associated with earlier median time to initiate breastfeeding (25min vs. 33min, P<0.01), an increased chance of successful first-time breastfeeding (OR=5.534; 95% CI: 2.687-11.399), longer duration of skin to skin contact (SSC) (21.529 min; 95% CI: 18.171-24.887) and longer duration of the first breastfeed (4.157 min; 95% CI: 2.098-6.217), and an increased likelihood of being exclusively breastfed at discharge (74.5% vs. 55.0%, P<0.001), 3 months (OR=3.197; 95% CI: 1.008-10.144), and 6 months (OR=4.913; 95% CI: 1.709-14.130) of age.Conclusions: EENC enhances early and successful breastfeeding initiation, prolongs duration of the first breastfeed, and increases the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at six months of age. Our evidence suggests that nation wide scale up of EENC would increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate in the first six months of life.
Troxerutin protects against DHT-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats
Authors: Gao Zixuan , Ma Xiaochen , Ge Yuhang , Wang Lei , Fu Ping , Liu Zhian , Yao Ruiqin , Yan Xiaonan
Published: March 2020

The exact pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common neuroendocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, has not been fully elucidated. Recent studies suggested that chronic inflammation and neurotransmitter disorder involved in the progress of PCOS. Troxerutin, a natural flavonoid, was reported to possess neuroprotective effect in several disease models by inhibiting inflammation or enhancing neurotrophic factor. In this study, we investigated the possible protective effect and mechanism of troxerutin in a dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced rat model of PCOS. The PCOS rat models were treated with troxerutin at a dose of 150mg/kg or 300mg/kg for up to 4 weeks. Results showed that 300mg/kg troxerutin significantly decreased the body weight gain and improved the pathological changes of ovary induced by DHT. Meanwhile, the elevated gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), gonadotrophin and testosterone in the serum of PCOS rats were reduced with the treatment of troxerutin. The expression of kisspeptin and NKB in arcuate nucleus and their receptors kiss1r and NK3r in GnRH positive neurons of median eminence were markedly decreased in troxerutin-treated rats. Of note, the GnRH inhibitory regulator GABA and stimulatory regulator glutamate were also restored to the normal level by troxerutin. The present study indicated that troxerutin may exhibit a protective effect in PCOS rat model via regulating neurotransmitter release.
Feasibility testing of a community dialogue approach for promoting the uptake of family planning and contraceptive services in Zambia
Authors: Munakampe Margarate Nzala , Nkole Theresa , Silumbwe Adam , Zulu Joseph Mumba , Cordero Joanna Paula , Steyn Petrus S
Published: March 2020

Background

Community dialogues have been used in various participatory approaches in various health prevention and awareness programs, including family planning interventions to increase understanding and alignment of particular issues from different peoples’ perspectives. The feasibility testing comprised of the implementation of a community dialogue intervention which generated discussion on key issues that needed to be addressed to decrease the unmet need for family planning- in this instance improving Quality of Care; and an evaluation thereof. The aim of this paper is to document the evaluation of the feasibility testing of a community dialogue approach, as part of formative phase research, in order to increase community and health care provider dialogue about family planning and contraceptives.

Methods

The operational and cultural feasibility of the community dialogue was evaluated through participant observations during the dialogue, using a standardised feasibility testing tick-list, and through focus group discussions with three different groups of stakeholders who participated in the community dialogue.

Results

Overall, 21 of the 30 invited participants attended the meeting. The approach created dialogue on family planning and QoC as per the objectives of the feasibility testing. There was a dialogue about how the quality of care could be achieved in family planning from the divergent stakeholders, guided by the agreed-upon ground rules. A need for more time for discussion and representation from the adolescents and other stakeholders in family planning such as the nutritionist was noted. Some participants were not comfortable with the language used, while others felt the other participants had more knowledge about the topics discussed.

Conclusion

Generally, the community dialogue was well received by the community members and the healthcare providers, as was seen from the positives sentiment expressed by both categories. Some key considerations for refining the approach included soliciting maximum participation from otherwise marginalized groups like the youths would provide stronger representation.
Plasma glucose levels in the association between serum trans-β-carotene and obesity among children and adolescents
Authors: zang xiaodong , Liu Hui , Zheng Junqiang , Fan Ming , Shen Xian , Yang Zhaocong , Qi Jirong , Mo Xuming
Published: March 2020

Background Results on the association between trans-β-carotene and obesity are less clear and little is known about how their relationship may be affected by plasma glucose levels.The present study aimed to evaluate the relationships between trans-β-carotene and obesity and to investigate whether plasma glucose levels had a modifying effect on these relationships. Methods Children aged 6-18 years were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES) (2001–2006) (n =8030). The serum trans-β-carotene levels were divided into tertiles, and their associations with obesity were evaluated using multivariable-adjusted linear regression models adjusted for potential confounding factors. The interaction effects between trans-β-carotene levels and plasma glucose levels on obesity were further evaluated. Results In the fully adjusted model, using serum trans-β-carotene as natural log-transformed continuous variable, the negative association between trans-β-carotene level and obesity were confirmed. In addition, plasma glucose levels significantly modified the inverse association between trans-β-carotene and obesity (p value for interaction: 0.09). A stronger association of trans-β-carotene levels with obesity was found in higher plasma glucose levels (more than100 mg/dl) than in lower plasma glucose levels. Further, a non-linear relationship was detected between trans-β-carotene and obesity in participants with higher plasma glucose levels, with an inflection point of 2.7 (trans-β-carotene =14.88 ug/dl). The effect sizes and confidence intervals for the left and right sides of the inflection point were 0.10 (0.00 to 0.2) and 6.7 (0.1 to 348.2), respectively. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the association between trans-β-carotene concentration and obesity is stronger in individuals with higher plasma glucose population than in those with lower plasma glucose levels.
Novel NTRK1 mutation in Chinese patient with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis: A Case Report
Authors: Sha Jing , Xu Zaochun , Zhai Jingfang , Zhang Bei , Zhang Yanling , Xu Yong
Published: March 2020

Objective : Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a rare autosomal recessively inherited disorder characterized by insensitivity to noxious stimuli and inability to sweat. Methods : In this case report, an 18-year-old Chinese boy diagnosed with CIPA with the clinical features of loss of algesthesis, inability to sweat, self-mutilation, developmental delay and dislocation of the left hip joint. Blood samples from the patient was collected and subjected to genetic analysis. Results : Sequencing analysis revealed a novel mutation, c.1769A>G, in the neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1 gene (NTRK1). In silico studies suggested that the mutations described are detrimental to the function of the protein encoded by the NTRK1 gene. Conclusions : The novel mutation widen the genetic mutation spectrum of NTRK1 in CIPA patients, and provide more evidence for precise diagnosis of the clinically suspected patients with CIPA.
A Case Report Based On Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Authors: li pengju , xiao jiefei , luo junhang , chen wei
Published: March 2020

Background: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the AR gene. This results in resistance to the actions of androgen as well as a female phenotype with 46 XY. Anatomically, individuals with AIS lack both a uterus and ovaries. Case presentation: In this case report, we detail a 32-year-old patient with complete AIS (CAIS). This female patient with 46 XY genotype came to our hospital seeking surgical removal of bilateral testis. The subsequent medical history, clinical examination, imaging, and endocrine outcomes from this patient were collected and are presented here. Conclusions: Individuals with CAIS need appropriate care from doctors and support from their family. The diagnosis, treatment, and management of CAIS also requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Support Vector Feature Extraction Based Lasso For Gender Recognition From Object Classification
Authors: Galla Damodara Krishna Kishore , Mukamalla BabuReddy , Reddy Prakasha
Published: March 2020

Image processing is a field in which biometric traits such as Face, voice, lip movements, hand geometry, odour, gait, iris, retina, fingerprint etc., are essential for recognition. The face is the most critical biometric trait for recognition because the face is an easily approachable biometric trait. There is no need for attention from a human being for face recognition. Human face classification is a challenging task for a machine. In this project, minimum distance classifier used with LASSO based gender classification. Database of 100 images (50 male and 50 female face images which considered from 4 different databases) used for face recognition and classification. Original face image database used for the gender classification. This approach of dual classfication ((1) Recognizing or classfying human faces from various objects and (2) Classifying gender through face recognition) is made possible with the help of combining modified SIFT feature in combination with ridge regression (RR), elastic net (EN) and lasso regression with GSVM (LRGS) based classificatioins. The final classfication results with accuracy are as follows for RR- 89.6%, EN- 93.5%, LR-93.2% and propsed approach(LRGS) with 98.4% accurate detection rate with rediction names.
Aspects of the development of Ixodes anatis under different environmental conditions in the laboratory and in the field
Authors: Bansal Natasha , Pomroy William , Heath Allen C , Castro Isabel
Published: March 2020

BackgroundAs parasites spend a large amount of their life cycles on their hosts, to gain a better understanding of how host-parasite systems work, information about the life cycle of the parasite is important. Numerous laboratory and few field-based studies have explored the influence of microclimates on developmental times of different stages of various species of ixodid ticks and found that most of these species develop quicker and survive better at temperatures between 18 and 26°C and relative humidity between 75% and 94%. Ixodes anatis Chilton, 1904, or kiwi tick, is an endophilic, nidicolous species endemic to North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli, NIBK) and the Tokoeka (Apteryx australis). Little is known about the environmental conditions that are ideal for the development of the kiwi tick. Our aims in this study were to determine and compare the conditions of temperature and RH that ensured the best survival, and the shortest interstadial periods for the kiwi tick, in the laboratory and outdoors inside artificial kiwi burrows.MethodsWe collected free walking engorged ticks off wild kiwi hosts and placed them in the laboratory at various fixed temperature and humidity regimes. We also placed sets of different stages of these ticks in artificial kiwi burrows and in both cases, recorded the times taken for the ticks to moult to the next stage.ResultsWe found that temperature had a larger impact on the moults between stages than relative humidity, and larvae and nymphs both showed optimum development between 10-20°C, which is lower than many other species of Ixodid ticks. However, larvae moulted quicker and survived better when saturation deficits were <1-2 mmHg (RH>94%) while for nymphs the optimum saturation deficits were 1-10 mmHg.ConclusionsWe believe that the kiwi tick has adapted to stable, but relatively cool and humid conditions in the burrows reflecting the evolutionary consequences of its association with the kiwi.
Giant cell tumor of soft tissue originating from the thyroid: a case report and literature review
Authors: Chen Jianrong , Zhang Haiyong , Li Xiufang , Hu Mengjun , Lei Huan , Peng Fang , Dai Xiaomin
Published: March 2020

Background: Giant cell tumor of soft tissues (GCT-ST) is a low malignant uncommon neoplasm, with is histological and immunophenotype similar to that of GCT of bone. Primary giant cell tumor of soft tissue arising in the thyroid is exceedingly rare. Case presentation: We reported a new case of GCT-ST originating from the thyroid occurring in 69-year-old woman. Histologically, the tumor was composed of two morphological components, mononuclear cells admixed with multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells. Tumor is devoid of atypia, pleomorphism, and atypical mitosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed strongly positivity with antibodies to CD68, but were negative for AE1/AE3, EMA and additional muscle markers. Conclusions: Due to its rare occurrence, we analyzed the clinical features of patients with primary thyroid GCT-ST to summarize some of our experiences and conduct a literature. The interest of this case lies in the rarity of this entity, the difficulty in preoperative diagnosis, and the confusion with other malignancies.
The effect of aging on the biological and immunological characteristics of periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Bowen , Wang Hong , Zhao Xiaolu , Zhang Zijie , Ding Gang , Wei Fulan
Published: March 2020

Background Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) have many applications in the field of cytotherapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. However, the effect of age on the biological characteristics and immunoregulation of PDLSCs remains unclear. Methods In this study, we compared PDLSCs isolated from young and elderly individuals. PDLSCs proliferation was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, and apoptosis level was detected by Annexin V-PE/7-ADD staining. PDLSCs osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation potentials were assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alizarin Red, Oil Red O staining and related quantitative analysis. PDLSCs immunoregulatory capacity was determined by EdU and Annexin V-PE/7-ADD staining. To explore its underlying mechanism, microarray, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blot analyses were performed to detect differentially expressed genes and proteins in PDLSCs. Results Our results demonstrated that with aging, the proliferation and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation potential of PDLSCs decreased, whereas apoptosis of PDLSCs increased. Moreover, the immunosuppressive ability of PDLSCs decreased with aging. Compared with PDLSCs from young subjects, analysis of mRNA expression revealed an upregulation of CCND3 and RC3H2 , and a downregulation of Runx2, ALP, COL1A1, PPARγ2, CXCL12, FKBP1A, FKBP1B, NCSTN, P2RX7, PPP3CB, RIPK2, SLC11A1, and TP53 in those from elderly individuals. Furthermore, protein expression levels of Runx2, ALP, COL1A1, and PPARγ2 in the elderly group was decreased, whereas that of CCND3 increased. Conclusions Taken together, aging influences biological and immunological characteristics of PDLSCs, and thus it is more appropriate to utilized PDLSCs from young individuals for tissue regeneration, post-aging treatment, and allotransplantation.
Priority domains, aims, and testable hypotheses for implementation research: A scoping review and evidence map protocol
Authors: Garner Bryan R , Patel Sheila , Kirk M. Alexis
Published: March 2020

Background: The challenge of implementing evidence-based innovations within practice settings is a significant public health issue the field of implementation research (IR) is focused on addressing. Significant amounts of funding, time, and effort have been invested in IR to date, yet there remains significant room for advancement, especially regarding IR’s development of scientific theories as defined by the National Academy of Sciences (i.e., a comprehensive explanation of the relationship between variables that is supported by a vast body of evidence). Research priority setting (i.e., promoting consensus about areas where research effort will have wide benefits to society) is a key approach to helping accelerate research advancements. Thus, building upon existing IR, general principles of data reduction, and a general framework for moderated mediation, this article identifies priority domains, aims, and testable hypotheses for IR and describes a scoping review protocol to identify and map the extent to which IR has examined these priorities to date.Methods: Implementation Science is the leading journal for publishing IR and receives over 800 submissions annually. Thus, this scoping review will focus on IR published in Implementation Science between its inception in 2006 and 12/31/2019. The current scoping review and evidence map protocol has been developed in accordance with the approach developed by Arksey & O’Malley and advanced by Levac, Colquhoun, and O’Brien. All research articles and short reports will be reviewed. Because scoping reviews seek to provide an overview of the identified evidence base rather than synthesize findings from across studies, we plan to use our data-charting form to provide a descriptive overview of implementation research to-date and summarize the research via one or more summary tables. We will use the priority aims and testable hypotheses (PATH) diagram, which integrates the four priority domains, three priority aims, and four priority testable hypotheses, to develop a map of the evidence (or lack thereof).Discussion: This scoping review and evidence map is intended to help accelerate IR focused on one or more of IR’s priority aims and testable hypotheses, which in turn will accelerate IR’s development of NAS-defined scientific theories and, subsequently, improvements in public health.Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/3vhuj/
Clinical features, treatments and outcomes of severe and critical severe patients infected with COVID-19: A system review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Hai-yue , Jiao Fang-zhou , Wu Xiao-jun , Shang Min , Luo Yu-chuan , Gong Zuo-jiong
Published: March 2020

Backgrounds: The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has been listed as a public health emergency of international concern by WHO. Most COVID-19 patients presented with a mild infection, but many challenges exist in therapy of severe and critical severe patients. This paper systematically reviewed clinical features, treatments and outcomes of severe and critical severe patients infected COVID-19. Methods: The clinical, laboratory, imaging features, treatment and outcomes of COVID-19 were collected. The data were analyzed by using STATA 15 statistical software to estimate the prevalence and 95% CI in severe and critical severe patients with COVID-19. A random or fixed effect model was used to estimate the prevalence and 95% CI. Results: After screening, 8 studies including a total of 275 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The percentage of severe and critical severe patients in confirmed COVID-19 cases was 25% (95% CI 16-36%). Fever, cough, dyspnea, lymphopenia and bilateral distribution of patchy shadows were the most prevalent findings in these patients. Utilization rate of antiviral drugs, corticosteroid, non-invasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation was high in therapy strategies. The most prevalent complications were ARDS, shock, and acute cardiac injury. Discussion: Severe and critical severe COVID-19 patients usually had complications even a fatal outcome. As vaccines and anti-coronaviral drugs are under development, the principles of treatment for these patients should be focused on improving oxygenation, lung protective and function support of multiple organs.
HTLV screening using chemiluminescence immunoassay among blood donors in three blood centers in China
Authors: Zhao Junpeng , Zhao Feixue , Han Wei , Xu Xiaoxuan , Wang Lilin , Li Ran , Li Tong , Wu Linfeng , Du Dandan , Zeng Xuezhen , Cui Xiujuan , Chen Yunlong , Zeng jinfeng , Wang Lunan
Published: March 2020

Background Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) remains a concern for blood safety. The detection of HTLV has not yet been applied for routine blood screening in China, even though lots of HTLV positive cases have been reported in southeastern China. However, data on the prevalence of HTLV infection among blood donors is limited. Objective The objective was to investigate the prevalence of HTLV among blood donors in three representative blood centers in China and evaluate the feasibility of chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) for blood screening. Methods From November 2018 to March 2019, blood plasma samples collected from Hebei, Changsha and Shenzhen blood centers were screening for HTLV-1/2 antibody using Lumipulse G HTLV-I/II Immunoreaction Cartridges set (CLIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), followed with confirmatory test using INNO-LIA HTLV I/II. Results A total of 59929 blood donations were collected and screened for HTLV-1/2. The reactive rate of CLIA and ELISA among donations in Shenzhen blood center (0.0943%, 27/28621) was higher than Hebei (0.0248%, 4/16144) and Changsha (0.0198%, 3/15164) ( P <0.05). After confirmation, 3 samples were confirmed as indeterminate for HTLV antibodies, only 1 sample from Shenzhen blood center was confirmed and typed as HTLV-1. The overall prevalence of HTLV-1/2 was 1.67 per 100,000 (1/59929). The HTLV-infected blood donor was a first female donor at age 32 with high school degree, born in Fujian province, and SHE minority. Conclusion In summary, the overall prevalence of HTLV-1/2 among blood donors in the tree blood centers in China remains relatively low. However, blood donations with positive or indeterminate results for HTLV antibodies found in the study reminded us the importance of HTLV screening among blood donors in China. In the view of HTLV prevalence and cost, all the first-blood donors should undergo HTLV screening as a systematic strategy to reduce the risk of transmission of HTLV through blood transfusion.
3D Printed Patient-Specific Applicator for HDR Brachytherapy of the Orbit
Authors: Subashi Ergys David , Jacobs Corbin , Hood Rodney , Kirsch David , Craciunescu Oana
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND This report describes a process for designing a 3D printed patient-specific applicator for HDR brachytherapy of the orbit. CASE PRESENTATION A 34-year-old man with recurrent melanoma of the orbit was referred for consideration of re-irradiation. An applicator for HDR brachytherapy was designed based on the computed tomography (CT) of patient anatomy. The body contour was used to generate an applicator with a flush fit against the patient’s skin while the planning target volume (PTV) was used to devise channels that allow for access and coverage of the tumor bed. An end-to-end quality assurance test was devised to determine feasibility for clinical use. The applicator was designed to conform to the volume and contours inside the orbital cavity. Support wings placed flush with the patient skin provided stability and reproducibility, while 16 source channels of varying length were needed for sufficient access to the target. A solid sheath, printed as an outer support-wall for each channel, prevented bending or accidental puncturing of the surface of the applicator. CONCLUSIONS Quality assurance tests demonstrated feasibility for clinical use. Our experience with available 3D printing technology used to generate an applicator for the orbit may provide guidance for how materials of suitable biomechanical and radiation properties can be used in brachytherapy.
Coexistence of Nonvolatile Unipolar Memory and Volatile Threshold Resistance Switching In LaMnO3 Thin Films
Authors: Yin yanfeng , Zhang ying , Jia caihong , Zhang weifeng
Published: March 2020

Coexistence of nonvolatile unipolar memory and volatile threshold resistive switching was observed in Pt/LaMnO 3 /Pt system. Specifically, nonvolatile unipolar memory was achieved by applying a negative bias, while volatile threshold resistive switching was obtained at a positive bias. The formation/rupture of conducting filaments and insulator-metal transition are supposed to induce nonvolatile unipolar memory and volatile threshold resistive switching, respectively. The convenient transition between nonvolatile and volatile switching by polarity is very useful for applications in in-memory computing technology.
Bacteria-derived ferrichrome inhibits tumor progression in sporadic colorectal neoplasms and colitis-associated cancer
Authors: IWAMA TAKUYA , Fujiya Mikihiro , Konishi Hiroaki , Tanaka Hiroki , Murakami Yuki , Kunogi Takehito , Sasaki Takahiro , Takahashi Keitaro , Ando Katsuyoshi , Ueno Nobuhiro , Kashima Shin , Moriichi Kentaro , Tanabe Hiroki , Okumura Toshikatsu
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancers develop through several pathways, including the adenoma–carcinoma sequence and colitis-associated carcinogenesis. An altered intestinal microflora has been reported to be associated with the development and progression of colorectal cancer via these pathways. We identified Lactobacillus casei -derived ferrichrome as a mediator of the bacterial anti-tumor effect of colorectal cancer cells through the upregulation of DDIT3. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effects of ferrichrome on precancerous conditions and cancer cells associated with sporadic as well as colitis-associated colorectal cancer. METHODS: SRB and MTT assays were performed to assess growth inhibition in vitro . Eighteen organoids were prepared from biopsy specimens obtained by colonoscopy. An AOM-DSS carcinogenesis model and xenograft model of colorectal cancer cells were generated for the assessment of the tumor suppressive effect of ferrichrome in vivo . RESULTS: Ferrichrome inhibited the cell growth of colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in in vivo xenograft models. Ferrichrome exerted a strong tumor-suppressive effect that was superior to that of currently available anti-tumor agents, including 5-FU and cisplatin, both in vitro and in vivo . The tumor-suppressive effect of the combination of ferrichrome and 5-FU was superior to that of single treatment with either drug. The tumor suppressive effects of ferrichrome were confirmed through the upregulation of DDIT3 in patient-derived organoids of adenoma and carcinoma. Ferrichrome inhibited the tumor progression in the AOM-DSS model while exhibiting no anti-inflammatory effect in the DSS-colitis model, suggesting that ferrichrome inhibited cancer cells, but not a precancerous condition, via the colitis-associated pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Ferrichrome exerts a tumor suppressive effect on precancerous conditions and cancer cells associated with sporadic as well as colitis-associated colorectal cancer. The anti-tumor effect of ferrichrome was mediated by the upregulation of DDIT3, and was superior to that of 5-FU or cisplatin. These results suggest that Lactobacillus brevis -derived ferrichrome may be a candidate anti-tumor drug for the treatment of colorectal neoplasms.