bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emodin Improves Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Obese Mice via Activating Brown Adipose Tissue and Inducing Browning of White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Cheng Long , Zhang Shuofeng , Shang Fei , Sun Jianning , Dong Shifen
Published: September 2020

Background: Obesity has become a worldwide health threat related to type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc. Activating brown adipocytes and inducing browning of white adipocytes has been proposed as a potential molecular target for obesity treatment. In the present study, we investigated the effects of emodin on browning in mice with high-fat diet (HFD) and explore its underlying pharmacological mechanisms. Methods: The positive effects of emodin (40, 80 mg/kg/day, i.g. for 6 weeks) on lipid metabolism were evaluated in mice model of hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia mice were induced by high-fat diet (60% of kilocalories from fat, 5.24 Kcal/kg) for 8 weeks. Body weight and food intake were monitored every week. After 6 weeks of treatment, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, Lee's index, the ratio of fat weight to body weight, blood lipids, and adipose tissues morphology were assayed. Then uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), CD36, fatty acid transporter 4 (FATP4), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα) and prohibitin (PHB) protein of subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) were analyzed. In addition, the lipid metabolites in adipose tissues were analyzed by ultra-high- performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.Results: Emodin treatment decreased body weight gain, fasting blood glucose, Lee's index, the ratio of scWAT weight to body weight, and the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and Leptin in serum, and increased serum adiponectin content and improved glucose tolerance. Furthermore, emodin enhanced the expression of UCP1, CD36, FATP4, PPARα and PHB protein in scWAT and BAT. Meanwhile, emodin can significantly up-regulated lipid levels in scWAT of mice fed with HFD such as PC(O-18:2/22:5), PE(O-18:1/18:2), PE(O-18:2/20:4), PE(O-20:1/20:5), Cer(d14:1/20:0) and SM(d18:0/23:0), and reduced the lipid levels such as PC(O-18:0/20:0), PE(O-18:2/22:2), PE(O-18:0/22:5). In addition, emodin significantly up-regulate lipid levels in BAT of mice fed with HFD such as PC(14:0/16:0), PC(16:0/16:1), PC(16:1/16:1), PC(15:1/18:3), PC(18:0/20:0), LysoPC(20:0), LysoPC(22:0) and LysoPC(22:1), and reduced the lipid levels PC(12:0/20:4) and PC(17:0/22:5). Conclusions: These results indicated that hyperlipidemia could be alleviated by treatment of emodin via promoting browning of white adipose tissue. In addition, the disturbance of some small lipid metabolites in adipose also could be reversed by emodin.
Selenide Chitosan Sulfate Improved The Hepatocyte Activity, Growth Performance, and Anti-Oxidation Ability by Activating The Thioredoxin Reductase of Chickens In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Hou Lele , Qiu Huiling , Zhu Lianqin , Huang Yufeng , Gao Shansong , Chen Fu
Published: September 2020

Background: There are very few studies on the synergy effects of biological antioxidant activity on selenium (Se) and sulfate. This study evaluated the effect of selenide chitosan sulfate (LS-COS-Se) on the hepatocytes activity, growth performance, and anti-oxidation ability by activating the thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) system of specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The hepatocytes were obtained in vitro and a total of 240 SPF White Leghorns chickens (7 days of age and body weight of 45.0 ± 2.0 g) were collected in vivo. The hepatocytes and chickens were randomly allocated into six treatment groups: control group; chitosan (COS) group; sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) group; selenide chitosan (COS-Se) group; chitosan sulfate (LS-COS) group; LS-COS-Se group. After 24 h, the culture medium and hepatocytes were collected and preserved respectively for analyzing the metabolic activity of hepatocytes. Gowth performance was evaluated and chickens were euthanized to obtain plasma and liver tissue to measure antioxidant associated parameter on days 14 and 28. Results: The experiment in vitro showed that the activities of TrxR, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) in culture medium and the levels of thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR-1) and thioredoxin reductase 3 (TrxR-3) mRNA in hepatocytes in LS-COS-Se group were significantly higher (P < 0.05), but the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) significantly decreased (P < 0.05) than those in control, COS and LS-COS groups. Compared with Na2SeO3 and COS-Se groups, the levels of TrxR-1 and TrxR-3 mRNA in hepatocytes and the activity of SOD in culture medium significantly increased in LS-COS-Se group (P < 0.05). The experiment in vivo showed that the baby weight on 14d and 28d, the activities of TrxR, SOD and anti-superoxide anion radical (AntiO2-) in plasma and the levels of TrxR-1 and TrxR-3 mRNA in liver of dietary supplementation with LS-COS-Se were significantly higher than those in control, COS and LS-COS groups (P < 0.05). The activities of TrxR and SOD in plasma of dietary supplementation with LS-COS-Se were significantly higher than those of Na2SeO3 group and COS-Se group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: LS-COS-Se as potential antioxidant improved the hepatocytes activity, growth performance, and anti-oxidation ability by activating the TrxR system of SPF chickens in vitro and in vivo. The better biological activity of LS-COS-Se was mainly due to the synergistic effect of Se and sulfate on TrxR system.
Organizational Norms and Leadership Effectiveness: Do the Leader's Innovative Behavior and Knowledge Sharing Intention Matter?
Authors: Belete Aselefech , Tufa Tesfaye Leta
Published: September 2020

Even though organizations are failing because of leadership ineffectiveness, there is no consensus on the secret behind leadership effectiveness. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the role of subjective organizational norms on leadership effectiveness with a specific contribution from a leader’s innovative behavior, knowledge sharing intention, and autonomy. To achieve this, I analyzed data collected from 104 Ethio Telcom employees using the ordinary least square (OLS) regression and hierarchical regression analysis. The result of the OLS regression revealed that organizational norms influence leadership effectiveness indirectly through a leader’s innovative behavior. This relationship is intensified when the leader is intended to share knowledge more. Moreover, the presence of high autonomy among leaders leads to the development of innovative behavior among those leaders, which further improves the effectiveness of leaders. Besides the above findings, future researchers should compare and contrast the above relationship among the leaders and employees. They should also test the role of other entrepreneurial variables such as risk-taking and proactiveness concerning leadership effectiveness.
Synergistic mechanism of basic medical insurance and public health policy under major public crisis
Authors: He Wei , liu Huan , Hu Tiantian
Published: September 2020

Background

The coordinated development of the basic medical insurance system and public health is not only related to the structural soundness of the entire country’s medical and health system, but also related to a country’s initiative in responding to major public health events.
Methods

This article attempts to endogenously implement health care policies in the health production function, and from the perspective of health benefits, attempts to build a theoretical analysis of framework for the coordinated development of basic medical insurance and public health, revealing the benignly interactive circulation mechanism of the health care system and improving the health benefits of individuals and society realistic path.
Results

In the field of medical and health services, the establishment of a benign medical and health investment system can promote the improvement of the level of health output and the improvement of the health effectiveness of individuals and society, and thus promote the increase of social and individual health and welfare levels; and promote a virtuous cycle of overall healthy reproduction.
Conclusions

Under the synergy mechanism, the basic medical insurance policy and public health policy during the new coronary pneumonia should meet the synergy standards. Scientific and reasonable medical and health service policies should not only consider the treatment of new coronary pneumonia patients and group prevention and control, but also pay attention to the coordination of basic medical insurance policies and public health policies, and the coordination of health production and health benefits. The core of policy coordination is to protect both patients with new coronary pneumonia and the general medical and health services of residents.
Intra-Articular Opening Osteotomy Combined with Lateral Ligament Reconstruction for Varus Ankle Arthritis
Authors: Xu Yang , Li Xing-chen , Guo Chang-jun , Xu Xiang-yang
Published: September 2020

Background
One type of Takakura 3B ankle arthritis is varus talus with medial disital tibial platform erosion. Among these cases, the tibial anterior surface (TAS) angles are usually normal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of intra-articular opening osteotomy combined with lateral ligament reconstruction for Takakura 3B ankle arthritis with medial disital tibial platform erosion.
Methods
From September 2009 to May 2016, 17 patients with Takakura 3B ankle arthritis were reviewed, including 3 male and 14 female patients. All underwent the operation of intra-articular opening osteotomy combined with lateral ligament reconstruction. All patients were available for analysis. The main outcome measurements included TT angle, AOFAS score, VAS score, SF-36 scale and AOS scale.
Results
All patients were followed for a mean follow-up of 87.2 months (range, 49 to 129 months). The VAS scale improved from 5.5 ± 1.6 to 2.3 ± 1.9. The mean AOFAS score improved from 47.7 ± 15.7 to 75.8 ± 12.0. The SF-36 scale improved from 41.6 ± 14.0 to 67.7 ± 14.6. The AOS improved from 60.9 ± 13.9 to 28.2 ± 17.7. The TT angle improved from 14.3 ± 5.0° to 5.3 ± 4.0°.
Conclusion
Intra-articular opening osteotomy combined with lateral ligament reconstruction is an effective method to treat varus ankle arthritis with medial disital tibial platform erosion.
Establishment and Application of Reverse Transcription Recombinase-aided Amplification as a Rapid Detection Method for SARS-COV-2
Authors: Ai Lele , Liu Wei , Ye Fuqiang , Ding Chenxi , Dai Han , Han Yifang , Zhu Changqiang , Lv Ruichen , Han Zhaojiu , Zhou Xiaobo , Qi Yong , Tan Weilong
Published: September 2020

Background: By the end of August 2020, >23 million cases and 800,000 deaths were attributed to SARS-CoV-2 in >200 countries. The improvement of simple, rapid, and efficient detection methods is of great significance for the early detection, timely isolation, and protection of susceptible populations. This study aimed to provide an alternative method for the rapid detection of viral nucleic acid.Methods: This study provided a rapid nucleic acid detection method mediated by recombinant enzyme based on the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Primers and probes were designed based on the N gene sequence of coronavirus. The method was performed at 39 °C, the detection time was short (<20 min), and the detection limit was up to 101 copies/mL.Results: The primer-probe did not show any cross-reaction with adenovirus, Zika virus, influenza B virus, and chikungunya virus, with good specificity. A total of 106 clinical throat swab samples were compared by reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) and commercial reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); the results were identical.Conclusions: The novel coronavirus RT-RAA method established in this study had high sensitivity, strong specificity, simple operation, and fast detection speed, and hence, is suitable for the rapid detection of novel coronavirus under the current epidemic situation.
Prediction the burden of COVID-19 in Iran: Application of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)
Authors: Mirzaee Negar , Barouni Mohsen , Goudarzi Reza , Jahani Yunes , Haghdoost AliAkbar , Gohari Milad Ahmadi , Nakhaeizadeh Mehran , McFarland Willi , Sharifi Hamid
Published: September 2020

Background The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly became the world’s largest threat to health and the economy in recent times. Prediction of the COVID-19 pandemic’s full impact is a necessary gauge for future policy making, including resource allocation for prevention, mitigation, and control preparedness.Methods We used the extended form of the Susceptible-Exposed-Infected/Infectious-Recovered/Removed (SEIR) model to predict new cases and number of deaths associated to COVID-19. Data from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran provided relevant parameters for predicting disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). We conducted a review of the literature on COVID-19-like diseases to develop disability weights (DWs) and convened an expert panel to verify their applicability. Beta-PERT distributions were used to calculate DWs for age groups. The minimum and maximum values were 0 and 0.14 for mild to severe disability, respectively.Results The total DALYs for COVID-19 in Iran predicted by our model will be 973 per 100,000 populations from January, 2020 to January, 2021. Overall, 957 years per 100,000 will be from YLLs (98.4% of DALYs) and 16 will be from YLDs (1.6% of DALY). The total DALYs in men will be 1,082 years per 100,000 and 861 per 100,000 in women.Conclusions Our predictions of COVID-19 burden will be useful in determining health priorities and to appropriately allocate resources to prepare for future outbreaks of COVID-19 and similar diseases. We hope this study will contribute to evidence-based health policy making in Iran.
Global Knockdown of Glutamate Decarboxylase 67 Elicits Emotional and Auditory Abnormalities in Mice
Authors: Miyata Shigeo , Kakizaki Toshikazu , Fujihara Kazuyuki , Obinata Hideru , Hirano Touko , Nakai Junichi , Tanaka Mika , Itohara Shigeyoshi , Watanabe Masahiko , Tanaka Kenji F , Abe Manabu , Sakimura Kenji , Yanagawa Yuchio
Published: September 2020

Reduced expression of glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), encoded by the Gad1 gene, is a consistent finding in postmortem brains of patients with several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The dysfunction of GAD67 in the brain is implicated in the pathophysiology of these psychiatric disorders; however, the neurobiological consequences of GAD67 dysfunction in mature brains are not fully understood because the homozygous Gad1 knockout is lethal in newborn mice. We hypothesized that the tetracycline-controlled gene expression/suppression system could be applied to develop global GAD67 knockdown mice that would survive into adulthood. In addition, GAD67 knockdown mice would provide new insights into the neurobiological impact of GAD67 dysfunction. Here, we developed Gad1 tTA/STOP-tetO biallelic knock-in mice using Gad1 STOP-tetO and Gad1 tTA knock-in mice, and compared them with Gad1 +/+ mice. The expression level of GAD67 protein in brains of Gad1 tTA/STOP-tetO mice treated with doxycycline (Dox) was decreased by approximately 90%. The GABA content was also decreased in the brains of Dox-treated Gad1 tTA/STOP-tetO mice. In the open-field test, Dox-treated Gad1 tTA/STOP-tetO mice exhibited hyper-locomotor activity and decreased duration spent in the center region. In addition, acoustic startle responses were impaired in Dox-treated Gad1 tTA/STOP-tetO mice. These results suggest that global reduction in GAD67 elicits emotional and auditory abnormalities in mice. These GAD67 knockdown mice will be useful for elucidating the neurobiological mechanisms of emotional abnormalities, such as anxiety symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders.
Evaluating receiver contributions to Acoustic Positional Telemetry: A case study on Atlantic cod around wind turbines in the North Sea
Authors: Knaap Inge Elisabeth Jacoba van der , Slabbekoorn Hans , Winter Hendrik V. , Moens Tom , Reubens Jan
Published: September 2020

Background: An important aspect for the correct interpretation of Acoustic Positional Telemetry (APT) data concerns the effect of individual receiver contributions to animal positioning. The present study evaluated the contribution of each receiver within two APT designs to set-up efficiency and position accuracy of free-ranging Atlantic cod, through sequential single receiver removal. The two APTs were deployed around offshore wind turbines at which 27 individual cod were tagged and released, 50 km offshore, at depths of 20-30 m. Results: Results indicated that removal of an APT receiver, positioned within the movement area of the individual fish, reduced the efficiency and position accuracy of the set-up the most, with a maximum of 34% position loss per fish, and an increase in core area of 97.8%. Removal of a single receiver in general was shown to potentially lead to considerably altered swimming tracks. Additionally, removal of a specific receiver that was deployed within 50 meters from a turbine (i.e. reflective barrier) actually improved fish position accuracy. Conclusions: An explorative, small-scale study like the one presented is recommended, before embarking on any larger scale APT study. Exploration of receiver contributions to set-up performance allow to test the suitability of a receiver set-up for the specific movement patterns and local tracking conditions for a particular target species. Data from receiver arrays from which a receiver was lost should be treated with care, as results revealed that changes in triangulation outcome can lead to considerable shifts in swimming tracks and animal home range estimates.
Analysis of clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and therapy of 134 cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective analysis.
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhang Jie , Chen Jiebing
Published: September 2020

Background：As everyone knows, the pandemic COVID-19 is spreading in the whole world. The number of laboratory-confirmed cases reached 28,637,211 and that of the death cases was 917,404 in the world as of September 13th, 2020. We sought to analyse the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and therapy of some cases with COVID-19.Methods: In this retrospective study, we extracted the data on 134 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Wuhan Xinzhou District People's Hospital from January 16th to April 24th , 2020. Cases were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and abnormal radiologic findings. Outcomes were followed up until May 1th , 2020. Results：Co-infection and severe underlying diseases made it easier for a case with COVID-19 to develop to be a severe one or reach an outcome of death. Age above 60 years old, male and symptoms such as fever, cough, chest tightness, headaches and fatigue were related to severe COVID-19 and an outcome of death. In addition, higher temperature, blood leukocyte count, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein level, D-dimer level, alanine aminotransferase activity, aspartate aminotransferase activity,α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase activity, lactate dehydrogenase activity and creatine kinase activity were also related to severe COVID-19 and an outcome of death, and so was lower lymphocyte count. Administration of gamma globulin seemed helpful for reducing the mortality of patients with severe COVID-19, however the P value was greater than 0.05 (P=0.180), which mean under the same condition, studies of larger samples are needed in the future. Conclusion: Multiple factors were related to severe COVID-19 and an outcome of death. Administration of gamma globulin seemed helpful for reducing the mortality of severe cases. More related studies are needed in the future.
Comprehensive assessments of germline deletion structural variants reveal the association between prognostic MUC4 and CEP72 deletions and immune response gene expression in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Peng-Chan Lin , Chen Hui-O , Lee Chih-Jung , Yeh Yu-Min , Shen Meng-Ru , Chiang Jung-Hsien
Published: September 2020

Background Functional disruptions by large germline genomic structural variants in susceptible genes are known risks for cancer. Few studies have used deletion structural variants (DSVs) to predict cancer risk with neural networks or studied the relationship between DSVs and immune gene expression to stratify prognosis.Methods Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data was analyzed with the blood samples of 192 cancer and 499 noncancer subjects with or without family cancer history (FCH). Ninety-nine colorectal cancer (CRC) patients had immune response gene expression data. To build the cancer risk predictive model and identify DSVs in familial cancer, we used joint calling tools and attention-weighted model. The survival support vector machine (survival-SVM) was used to select prognostic DSVs. Results We identified 671 DSVs that could predict cancer risk. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of attention-weighted model was 0.71. The 3 most frequent DSV genes observed in cancer patients were identified as ADCY9, AURKAPS1, and RAB3GAP2 (p < 0.05). We identified 65 immune-associated DSV markers for assessing cancer prognosis (P < 0.05). The functional protein of MUC4 DSV gene interacted with MAGE1expresssion, according to the STRING database. The causal inference model showed that deleting the CEP72 DSV gene could affect the recurrence-free survival (RFS) of IFIT1 expression. Conclusions We established an explainable attention-weighted model for cancer risk prediction and used the survival-SVM for prognostic stratification by using DSV and immune gene expression datasets. It can provide the genetic landscape of cancer patients and help predict the clinical outcome.
Predictors and moderators of outcome of psychotherapeutic interventions for mental disorders in young people: Protocol for systematic reviews
Authors: Vousoura Eleni , Gergov Vera , Tulbure Bogdan Tudor , Camilleri Nigel , Saliba Andrea , Garcia-Lopez LuisJoaquin , Podina Ioana R. , Prevendar Tamara , Löffler-Stastka Henriette , Chiarenza Giuseppe Augusto , Debbané Martin , Markovska-Simoska Silvana , Milic Branka , Torres Sandra , Ulberg Randi , Poulsen Stig
Published: September 2020

Background: Adolescence and young adulthood is a risk period for the emergence of mental disorders. There is strong evidence that psychotherapeutic interventions are effective for most mental disorders. However, very little is known about for whom different psychotherapeutic treatment modalities are effective. This large systematic review aims to address this critical gap within the literature on non-specific predictors and moderators of the outcomes of psychotherapeutic interventions among young people with mental disorders. Methods: Pubmed and PsycINFO databases were searched for randomized controlled and quasi-experimental/naturalistic clinical trials. Studies were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of bias of all included studies will be assessed by RoB1 and ROBINS-I risk of bias tools. The quality of predictor and moderator variables will be also assessed. A narrative synthesis will be conducted for all included studies. Discussion: This systematic review will strengthen the evidence base on effective mental health interventions for young people, being the first to explore predictors and moderators of outcome of psychotherapeutic interventions for a wide range of mental disorders in young people. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO (CRD42020166756)
System Dynamics Modeling of Health Workforce Planning to Address Future Challenges of Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage
Authors: Leerapan Borwornsom , Teekasap Pard , Urwannachotima Nipaporn , Jaichuen Wararat , Chiangchaisakultha Kwanpracha , Udomaksorn Khunjira , Meeyai Aronrag Cooper , Noree Thinakorn , Sawaendee Krisada
Published: September 2020

Background: System dynamics modeling can inform policy decisions of healthcare reforms under Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage. We report on this thinking approach to Thailand’s strategic health workforce planning for the next 20 years.Methods: A series of group model building sessions involving 110 participants from multi-sectors of Thailand’s health systems was conducted in 2017 and 2018. Policymakers, healthcare administrators, and practitioners were facilitated to co-create a causal loop diagram representing a shared understanding of why the demands and supplies of the health workforce in Thailand can be mismatched and a stock and flow diagrams for testing the consequences of policy options.Results: Our simulation modeling found hospital utilizations created a vicious cycle of constantly increasing demands for hospital care, and hence a constant shortage of healthcare providers. Moreover, hospital care was not designed for effectively dealing with the future demands of aging populations and prevalent chronic illness. Hence, shifting emphasis to professions that can provide primary care, intermediate care, long-term care, palliative care, and end-of-life care can be more effective.Conclusions: The system dynamics modeling confirmed that shifting the care models to address the changing health demands can be a high-leverage policy of health workforce planning, although very difficult to implement in the short term.
Experimental and numerical modeling for flattening and rapid solidification with crystallization behavior of supersonic ceramic droplets
Authors: Wang Y. , Bai Y , Wu K , Zhou J , Shen M G , Ming Y , Liu Q. , Chong N J , Sun Y W , Hu Y B , Du X J , She Z B
Published: September 2020

Successive impingement of supersonic droplets after refining in plasma jet usually forms a fine-lamellar structured coating with high mechanical properties. However, the comprehensive process (such as flattening, rapid solidification and crystallization) of high-velocity impact of refined droplets is difficult to understand. In this study, an experimental study showed that the content of refinement droplets reached to 90 % and displayed the multi-scale equiaxed grains morphology at extremely rapid solidification rate. Phase-field model revealed a hybrid coalescence growth of oriented attachment and migration of grains boundary under the dynamic temperature gradient. Furthermore, an optimized numerical model that consisted of the Navier-Stokes and energy balance equations coupled with the Cahn-Hilliard and phase-field model for growth orientation of grains was developed to accurately reproduce the comprehensive process of refined supersonic droplets. The size distribution and crystallographic orientation of columnar grains for single or two flattened droplets were in a good agreement with the experimental results. The interface between two-flattened droplets exhibited an epitaxial growth of columnar grains. This optimized model can be an effective method in predicting the flattening and solidification with crystallization behavior of droplets during plasma spraying.
tRNA Ini CAT inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell
Authors: Shen Zhisen , Li Jun , Ye Dong , Deng Hongxia , Gu Shanshan , Zhou Chongchang
Published: September 2020

Background: Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a ubiquitous RNA, present in all life forms and considered a housekeeping gene with limited regulatory function. Recent studies have shown that tRNA is dysregulated and involved in the pathogenic process of cancer.Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detected the relative expression levels of tRNAIniCAT in paired LSCC tissues and paracancerous tissues and preoperative, postoperative, and healthy human plasma. We analyzed the relationship between its expression level and the clinicopathological features of patients. We also established the receiver operating characteristic curve and predicted its diagnostic value. High expression of tRNAIniCAT was detected in the LSCC cell line. The proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle of cells were analyzed. High expression of tRNAIniCAT was detected in mice with transplanted tumors. The tumor weight and volume in mice were measured. The transplanted tumor was used for pathological analysis and transmission electron microscope observation.Results: tRNAIniCAT was down-regulated in LSCC tissues and plasma. The area under the plasma receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.808. High expression of tRNAIniCAT in the laryngeal carcinoma cell line inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. High expression of tRNAIniCAT in transplanted tumor in nude mice inhibited the growth of the transplanted tumor.Conclusion: tRNAIniCAT acts as a tumor Inhibitor in LSCC, inhibits cell proliferation, and promotes apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. tRNAIniCAT may be used as a new biomarker for the early diagnosis of LSCC.
Analyzing the Impact of Covid-19 on the Mothers of Bangladesh: Hearing the Unheard
Authors: Eh Shah Md Azimul , Jahan Fairooz
Published: September 2020

Aim: The purpose of this empirical study is to explore how Covid-19 pandemic has hit the mothers of our society, with particular emphasis on Bangladesh. The study also attempts to make their unheard voice reach both the national and international academic discourse which has so far been an unexcavated area. Subject and Methods: The study adopted qualitative and interpretative methods of social research which include content analysis; perception study of 223 respondents through semi structured questionnaire survey, who were selected using purposive random sampling. The data obtained from perception study was further complemented through phone in interviews. Results: The study has found that pandemic has not affected all the mothers uniformly, rather the intensity of its impact varied depending on factors like occupation of mothers and their husbands and their family pattern. Despite such variation, all the mothers experienced subsequent increase in workload, challenges while availing routine health facilities and higher level of stress, anxiety, depression, and certain behavioral changes. Conclusion: However, the worst affected have been the mothers belonging to the lower socio-economic strata because the pandemic has made them and their husbands’ jobless, leading them towards an uncertain future.
Immune profiling of gliomas reveals a connection with Tau function and the tumor vasculature.
Authors: Cejalvo Teresa , Gargini Ricardo , Segura-Collar Berta , Mata-Martínez Pablo , Herranz Beatriz , Cantero Diana , García-Pérez Daniel , Pérez-Núñez Ángel , Ramos Ana , Ruano Yolanda , Hernández-Laín Aurelio , Martín-Soberón Mari Cruz , Sánchez-Gómez Pilar , Manuel Sepúlveda Sánchez Juan
Published: September 2020

Background: Gliomas remain refractory to all attempted treatments, including those using immune checkpoint inhibitors. The characterization of the tumor (immune) microenvironment has been recognized as an important challenge to get a mechanistic explanation for this lack of response and to improve the therapy of glial tumors. Methods: We designed a prospective analysis of the immune cells of gliomas by flow cytometry. Tumors with or without isocytrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH1/2) mutations were included in the study. The genetic profile and the presence of different molecular and cellular features of the gliomas were analyzed in parallel. The findings were validated in mouse glioma models.Results: We observed that few immune cells infiltrate mutant IDH1/2 gliomas and we distinguished two different profiles in their IDH1/2 wild-type counterparts. The first one has an important immune component, particularly enriched in myeloid cells with immunosuppressive features. The second group is more similar to mutant IDH1/2 gliomas, with few immune cells and a less immunosuppressive profile. Notably, we observed a direct correlation between the immune content and the presence of vascular alterations, which were associated with a reduced expression of Tau, a microtubule-binding-protein that controls the formation of tumor vessels in gliomas. Furthermore, overexpression of Tau was able to reduce the immune content in orthotopic mouse glioma models, delaying tumor growth. Conclusions: Our results confirmed the reduced infiltration of immune cells in IDH1/2 mutant gliomas. Moreover, we have found that the immunological content distinguishes two groups of IDH1/2 wild-type gliomas, one highly enriched in immunosuppressive cells and one with few lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Our data indicated a direct correlation between the presence of vascular alterations and the entrance of leukocytes in gliomas. Interestingly, high levels of Tau inversely correlated with the vascular and the immune content of gliomas. Altogether, our results could be exploited for the design of more successful clinical trials with immunomodulatory molecules.
Dysbiotic microbiota to complement TNM staging or HPV status for prognostic indication of head and neck cancer
Authors: Dou Yu , Ma Chao , Wang Ketao , Liu Shaohua , Sun Jintang , Tan Wanye , Neckenig Markus , Wang Qingjie , Dong Zuoqing , Gao Wenjuan , Chen Anwei , Zhang Dong , Wang Bing , Shi Liang , Nan Zhaodi , Ai Dan , Yu Wenjie , Liu Jia , Song Bingfeng , Zhao Lei , Shao Qianqian , Zhu Yong , Wang Tao , Wang Jianing , Wu Xunwei , Hu Wei , Wei Fengcai , Xu Xin , Qu Xun
Published: September 2020

Background: Microbiota has been found associated with the incidence of head and neck cancers (HNCs), however, the association of microbiota with the prognosis of HNCs remains unknown. In the present study, the relationship between tumoral microbiata and survival was examined. The prognosis predictive value of tumoral microbiota to complement classic TNM staging and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) status was also investigated.Results: We conducted a retrospective study including 158 primary tumors using 16S rRNA sequencing. The tumoral microbiota in the HNC patients with poor prognosis were significantly different from that of the patients with good prognosis. A greater abundance of Schlegelella or Methyloversatilis was characterized in HNC patients with poor prognosis and a greater abundance of Lactobacillus or Bacillus was characterized in HNC patients with good prognosis. Strikingly, the microbial dysbiosis index (MDI), the ratio of above poor and good prognosis associated genera, was strongly associated with overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) 3.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.88 to 5.59; P < 0.001] and disease free survival (HR 2.11; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.34; P = 0.001), independently of age, TNM staging, differentiation and HPV status. Intriguingly, the combination of the MDI and HPV status significantly improved the prognostic performance of HPV status (AUC of 0.719 and 0.581 respectively, P = 0.024). Moreover, the MDI showed higher risk for overall survival in the late stage patients (HR 3.35; 95% CI, 1.73 to 6.49; P < 0.001) compared with the early stage patients (HR 2.41; 95% CI, 1.00 to 5.84; P = 0.051). Conclusion: Together, the MDI could serve as an applicable indicator of the prognosis of HNCs, and complements the predictive values of TNM staging and HPV status. Moreover, the findings of the higher risk of the MDI in the late stage patients supply directions for future studies that microbial modulation might be valuable in survival improvement of HNCs, especially for the late stage patients.
Knowledge of dietary guidelines and portion sizes in Saudi Arabian mothers; cross-sectional study
Authors: Hakim Noor , Alsini Najlaa , Kutbi Hebah , Mosli Rana , Eid Noura , Mulla Zeinab
Published: September 2020

Background: it is known that knowledge of dietary guideline is linked to healthy eating habit. This study aims to investigate Saudi Mother’s knowledge of current dietary guidelines regarding food groups and portion sizes and to investigate its relation to the sociodemographic factors.Methods: This cross-sectional study using Nutrition Education Program to recruit 101 mother and child. Instructed on site- online survey were collected to measure the mother’s knowledge of dietary guideline and portion sizes. quantitative analysis using Chi-square and Kruksan-Wallis tests.Results: 29.1 % of the participants were aware of the MyPlate guidelines and 51.5 % said that they affected by healthy plate choices. Being married was significantly associated with knowing about the MyPlate Image (P= 0.004). Correct identification of food groups on the MyPlate Image and correct identification of serving sizes of food group was less than 50% for most food groups. A significantly greater percentage of those with a postgraduate education were accurate about the correct servings of fruit, vegetables and grains (P=0.049).Conclusions: Nutrition knowledge of food groups and serving sizes was poor in the sample of Saudi women. This research provides evidence that nutrition education is needed in the Saudi Arabia and the finding are relevant for future health promotion strategies. The study has also identified sociodemographic groups that possibly may need to be targeted with more attention in future nutrition education programs such as those with low income, lower education level and unmarried women.
Resistive switching and optical properties of strontium ferrate titanate thin film prepared via chemical solution deposition
Authors: Li Jun , Tang Xingui , Liu Qiuxiang , Jiang Yanping , Tang Zhenxun
Published: September 2020

The polycrystalline strontium ferrate titanate (SrFe0.1Ti0.9O3, abbreviated to SFTO) thin films have been successfully prepared by chemical solution method. By analyzing the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, we discuss the conduction mechanism of SFTO. It is found that the number of oxygen vacancy defects is increased by Fe ions doping, making SFTO be with better resistive switching property. Fe ions doping can also enhance the absorption of strontium titanate to be exposed to visible light, which is associated with the change of energy band. The band gap width (2.84 eV) of SFTO films is figured out, which is less than that of pure strontium titanate. Due to more oxygen vacancy defects caused by Fe ions doping, the band gap width of strontium titanate was reduced slightly. The defect types of SFTO thin films can be determined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition, we analyzed the energy band and state density of SFTO by first-principle calculation based on density functional theory, and found that Fe ions doping can reduce the band gap width of strontium titanate with micro-regulation on the band structure. A chemical state of SFTO was analyzed by X-ray photo electron spectroscopy. At the same time, the structure and morphology of SFTO were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. This study deepened the understanding of the influence of Fe ions doping on the structure and properties of strontium ferrate titanate, which is expected to be a functional thin film material for memristor devices.
Effect of chopped ZrO2 fiber content on the microstructure and properties of CaO-based integral ceramic mold
Authors: Yang Qiang , Wang Fu , Li Dichen
Published: September 2020

A chopped ZrO2 fiber (ZrO2 (f)) reinforced CaO-based integral ceramic mold was successfully fabricated by stereolithography (SLA) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA)-based gel-casting, and the effect of chopped ZrO2 (f) content on properties of the ceramic mold was investigated. The results show that the ZrO2 (f) content had a significant effect on the viscosity of CaO-based ceramic slurry, which directly affects the filling ability of the ceramic slurry in complex structures of the integral mold. The tiny structures of the ceramic mold cannot be filled completely with a ZrO2 (f) content exceed 3 vol%. When the content of ZrO2 (f) was 3 vol%, the ceramic slurry could meet the requirement of gel-casting with a viscosity of 0.84 Pa·s. The ZrO2 (f) content played an important role in tailoring properties of the ceramic mold, the sample fabricated with 3 vol% fiber content showed a harmonious microstructure and exhibited an excellent comprehensive performance with a room temperature (25 ºC) bending strength of 22.88 MPa, the elevated temperature bending strength (1200 ºC) of 15.74 MPa, the elevated temperature (1200 ºC) deflection of 0.86 mm and the sintering shrinkage of 0.40%, which can meet the requirements of casting very well.
Examining the correlation between the weather conditions and COVID‐19 pandemic in India: A mathematical evidence
Authors: Borah Manash Jyoti , Hazarika Bipan , Panda Sumati Kumari , Nieto Juan Jose
Published: September 2020

There is a drastic increase for utilizing mathematical modeling in the study of epidemiology diseases. Mathematical models may predict how infectious diseases advance to demonstrate the possible result of an outbreak, and help support initiatives in public health. In the present situation, the 2019-nCoV terrifies the world. In this article, for the analysis of Covid-19 progression in India, we present new insights to formulate a data-driven epidemic model and approximation algorithm using the real data on infection, recovery and death cases with respect to weather in the view of mathematical variables.
Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care service in health institutions in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Tadiwos Mhiret Belay , Kanno Girum Gebremeskel , Areba Abereham Shiferaw , Aregu Mekonnen Birhanie
Published: September 2020

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Gedio Zone, southern Ethiopia.Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in governmental and private health facilities in Gedeo zone from January to April 2019. The study participants were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Eugene strip test was used to determine hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers. The status of HIV was collected from the records. Other variables were collected from the mothers using interviewer administered questionnaires. Logistic regression was used for the analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratios and their 95% Confidence Interval were calculated to determine association between HBsAg Sero-positivity and various factors. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered as significant. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 25 statistical software. Results: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus among pregnant mothers was 9.2% in Gedio Zone. Previous birth at health institution [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.7, 11.2], blood transfusions [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.8, 10.5], previous history of Hospital admission [AOR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.5, 7.5], ear piercing practice [AOR=5.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 29.0], current Gestational age [AOR=3.6, 95% CI: 1.2, 11.2], and HIV status of the mother [AOR=6.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 30.0] had statistical significant association with HBsAg Sero-positivity.Conclusions: Hepatitis B virus infection was found to have higher endemicity (9.2%) in the Gedio Zone. History of blood transfusion, hospital admissions, ear piercing, being HIV positive, gestational age and institutional delivery were significant predictors for HBsAg sero-positivity. Early initiation of antenatal care service that integrate awareness creation about the risks of hepatitis B infection and mother to child transmission of the disease must be implemented by the health facilities in Gedio Zone.
A Retrospective Study of Dental Changes after Facial Contouring Surgery
Authors: Park Jong Chul
Published: September 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to confirm whether long-term dental changes after people were aged beyond their 20s would be affected by undergoing facial contouring surgery, such as angle and zygoma reduction. Additionally, we intended to verify whether these changes would be significantly different depending on the type of contouring surgery.Methods: We included 77 subjects who underwent contouring surgery from December 13, 2011, to December 3, 2018. Of these subjects, 73 were female, and 5 were male. We followed up with these patients from 11 to 82 months after surgery. The average follow-up period was 33.6 months. The age at surgery was 18 to 48 years old. The average age was 29.5 years old. To assess dental changes, we measured variables such as the extrusion of a maxillary anterior and posterior tooth, angle from point A to nasion to point B (ANB°) change, and overjet/overbite change between pre- and postoperative periods using computed tomography.Results: There was a positive linear correlation between the extrusion of the maxillary teeth and the follow-up period. The correlation coefficients of incisors and molars were 0.454 and 0.461, respectively (p = 0.000 for incisors and 0.000 for molars). With age, there was also a negative correlation in extrusion. The correlation coefficient was -0.442 for incisors and -0.394 for molars (p = 0.000 for incisors and 0.000 for molars). We also confirmed significant differences in incisor extrusion and ANB° change depending on the type of surgery (p = 0.018 for incisor extrusion and 0.003 for ANB°).Conclusion: We observed dental changes in subjects who underwent facial contouring surgery, and these changes were affected by the type of operation.
Impact of a pandemic on surgical neuro-oncology - maintaining functionality in crisis
Authors: Hameed N. U. Farrukh , Ma Yixin , Zhen Zili , Wu Shuai , Feng Rui , Li Weiping , Huang Guodong , Wu Jinsong , Chen Zhongping
Published: September 2020

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has extraordinarily impacted global healthcare. Neuro-oncological surgery units have peculiar features that make them highly relevant in the strategic reaction to the pandemic. In this Chinese Society of Neuro-Oncology (CSNO) initiated survey, we appraise the changes implemented in neurosurgery hospitals across different Asian countries and provide expert recommendations for responses at different stages of the pandemic.Methods: A 42-question survey was distributed to neurosurgery hospitals across different Asian countries by the CSNO on April 1, 2020, with responses closed on April 18, 2020.Results: 144 hospitals completed the questionnaire. Most were in WHO post-peak phase of the pandemic and reported a median reduction in neurosurgery volume of 25-50%. Most(67.4%) resumed elective surgery in only COVID-19 negative patients;11.1% performed only emergency cases irrespective of COVID-19 status;2.1% suspended all surgical activity. Ninety-one(63.2%) relocated personnel from neurosurgery to other departments. Fifty-two(36.1%) hospitals suspended post-operative adjuvant therapy and 94(65.2%) instituted different measures to administer post-operative adjuvant therapy. Majority(59.0%) of the hospitals suspended research activity. Most(70%) respondents anticipate that current neurosurgery restrictions will continue to remain for >1 month.Conclusions: Majority of the respondents to our survey reported reduced neurosurgery activity, policy modification, personnel reallocation, and curtailment of educational/research activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The persistent widespread interruption of surgical neuro-oncology in even post-peak phases of the pandemic raises serious concerns about the long-term impact of the pandemic on neuro-oncological patients and highlights the essence of timely measures for pandemic preparedness, patient triage, and workforce protection.