bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcoholic fatty liver disease inhibited the co-expression of Fmo5 and PPARα to activate the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing liver injury via inducing gut microbiota disturbance
Authors: Kong Lingjian , Chen Jing , Ji Xiaoli , Qin Qian , Yang Huiyu , Liu Dan , Li Deliang , Sun Meiling
Published: January 2021

Background

Alcohol-induced intestinal dysbiosis disrupts and inflammatory responses are essential in the development of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). Here, we investigated the effects of Fmo5 on changes in enteric microbiome composition in a model of AFLD and dissected the pathogenic role of Fmo5 in AFLD-induced liver pathology.

Methods

The expression profile data of GSE8006 and GSE40334 datasets were downloaded from the GEO database. The WGCNA approach allowed us to investigate the AFLD-correlated module. DEGs were used to perform KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Four PPI networks were constructed using the STRING database and visualized using Cytoscape software. The Cytohubba plug-in was used to identify the hub genes. Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays were used to detect protein expression. ELISA assay was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines. Lipid droplets in the cytoplasm were observed using Oil Red O staining. Apoptosis was detected using a TUNEL assay and flow cytometry analysis. ROS levels were detected using flow cytometry analysis. Nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 was observed using immunofluorescence staining. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the co-expression of PPARα and Fmo5 in L02 cells. 16S rDNA sequencing defined the bacterial communities in mice with AFLD.

Results

Fmo5 is a key DEG and is closely associated with the gut microbiota and PPAR signaling pathway. Gut microbiome function in AFLD was significantly related to the PPAR signaling pathway. AFLD induced shifts in various bacterial phyla in the cecum, including a reduction in Bacteroidetes and increased Firmicutes. Fmo5 and PPARα co-expression in cell and animal models with AFLD, which decreased significantly. Silencing of Fmo5 and PPARα aggravated the functions of AFLD inducing apoptosis and inflammatory response, promoting liver injury, and activating the NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. The NF-κB inhibitor abolished the functions of silencing of Fmo5 and PPARα promoting AFLD-induced apoptosis, inflammatory response, and liver injury.

Conclusion

Our data indicated that the co-expression of Fmo5 and PPARα was involved in AFLD-related gut microbiota composition and alleviated AFLD-induced liver injury, apoptosis, and inflammatory response by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Correction to: microRNA-216b enhances cisplatin-induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma MG63 and SaOS-2 cells by binding to JMJD2C and regulating the HIF1α/HES1 signaling axis
Authors: Yang Dong , Xu Tianyang , Fan Lin , Liu Kaiyuan , Li Guodong
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Clinical warning of hemophagocytic syndrome caused by Epstein-Barr virus
Authors: Shi Jinjin , Chu Chu , Yu Min , Zhang Dandan , Li Yuqin , Fan Yujie , Yu Yixue , Luo Yali , Zhou Weifang
Published: January 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the clinical features and laboratory tests of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and hemophagocytic syndrome (HLH) caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in 1–3-year-old children and to explore the risk factor of HLH caused by EBV (EBV-HLH).

Methods

The clinical data of 92 children with EBV infection admitted in our hospital from 2011 to 2019 were collected; 61 cases were diagnosed as EBV-IM, and 31 cases were diagnosed as EBV-HLH. The subjects’ clinical manifestations and laboratory tests were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Compared with EBV-IM patients, EBV-HLH patients had longer durations of fever, both before hospitalization and overall, and a higher probability of hepatomegaly. The levels of ALT, AST, LDH, TG, SF, D-Dimer and the plasma EBV DNA load of EBV-HLH patients were significantly higher than those of EBV-IM patients. The absolute values of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK, and CD3-CD19+ cells and IgA and IgM levels of EBV-HLH patients were significantly lower than those of EBV-IM patients. The plasma EBV DNA load was positively correlated with the PT, TT, α-HBDH, AST, LDH, CK, Scr, BUN, UA, TG, and CRP levels in EBV-HLH patients, and the plasma EBV DNA load was positively correlated with the D-Dimer level in the EBV-IM patients. Among the 10 different potential markers, at the cut-off point of 1721.500 μg/L, the sensitivity and specificity of D-Dimer was 88.90 and 90.20%, respectively.

Conclusion

The D-Dimer level may be a good prognostic indicator of EBV-HLH caused by EBV.
Retrospective study of frequency of ABO and Rhesus blood group among population of Safdarabad and Faisalabad cities of Pakistan
Authors: Sabir Ali , Iftikhar Arslan , Ijaz Muhammad Umar , Hussain Ghulam , Rasul Azhar , Iqbal Rana Khalid , Sajid Faiqa , Anwar Haseeb
Published: January 2021

Objective

The current study aimed to investigate the ABO and rhesus (Rh) blood group frequency in the people of District Faisalabad and Sheikhupura, Punjab Province, Pakistan. The retrospective study was conducted on more than thirty thousand people including both male and female patients admitted to the Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, Safdarabad and The Best Hospital, Faisalabad. Blood samples were taken from each subject and subsequently ABO and Rh blood groups were evaluated separately. The antigen antibody agglutination slide test for blood grouping (ABO) and Rh were used to assess the blood group frequencies.

Results

The frequencies of ABO blood group distribution indicated that blood group B was predominant in the people of Safdarabad followed by O, A and AB respectively. While, among people of Faisalabad, blood group O was predominant followed B, A and AB respectively. Rh negative phenotype was found lesser distributed as compared to the positive Rh phenotype.
In vitro anti-proliferative activity of selected nutraceutical compounds in human cancer cell lines
Authors: Nibret Endalkachew , Krstin Sonja , Wink Michael
Published: January 2021

Objective

We investigated the anti-proliferative or cytotoxic activities of five nutraceutical compounds: allyl isothiocyanate, β-carotene, caffeine, capsaicin, and lupanine that we consume respectively, for example, from mustard seeds, carrot, coffee, pepper, and lupin seeds against cancer cell lines (human colon: HCT 116 p53 wild type, HCT 116 p53−/− and lymphoblastic: CEM/CCRF, CEM/ADR5000).

Result

Out of the five compounds tested in vitro, capsaicin and β-carotene were more cytotoxic than the other three compounds against the four cancer cell lines. The most potent nutraceutical compound was capsaicin and it exerted its highest cytotoxicity against HCT 116 p53−/− with IC50 value of 19.67 ± 0.06 µM. It is worth considering capsaicin for further development of anticancer drug against both colon and leukemia cancer types.
How to perform an excellent radiology board examination: a web-based checklist
Authors: Dicle Oğuz , Özan Sema , Şahin Hatice , Seçil Mustafa
Published: January 2021

Background

Board exams are now considered as means of quality procedures that aim to keep the professional knowledge and skills of the physicians at the highest level. In addition, for an assessment to be scientifically valid, it has to be done within defined standards. Although there are different sources in this field, there is a need for a resource that details the steps required for the examinations to be performed perfectly, brings descriptions of the reasons for the procedure and associates the steps with assessment standards. Experts with national and international experience both in radiology and medical education contributed to the preparation of this checklist.

Results

The guide includes 174 elements to consider before, after the exam order and examination. From the perspective of assessment standards, it has been observed that the steps to be considered before the exam have a greater impact on the validity and reliability of the exam. The standard in which the questions are most associated was validity with 117 (67.24%) questions.

Conclusions

We think that our guide, which will be accessible in the web environment, will be useful to the teams with a development goal or just start the exam, the candidates who will take the exam and the examiners.
Human embryonic stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate retinal degeneration by upregulating Oct4 to promote retinal Müller cell retrodifferentiation via HSP90
Authors: Ke Yifeng , Fan Xiaoe , Hao Rui , Dong Lijie , Xue Min , Tan Liangzhang , Yang Chunbo , Li Xiaorong , Ren Xinjun
Published: January 2021

Objective

Retinal degenerative diseases remain the dominant causes of blindness worldwide, and cell replacement is viewed as a promising therapeutic direction. However, the resources of seed cells are hard to obtain. To further explore this therapeutic approach, human embryonic stem extracellular vesicles (hESEVs) were extracted from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to inspect its effect and the possible mechanism on retinal Müller cells and retinal function.

Methods

hESEVs were extracted by multi-step differential centrifugation, whose morphologies and specific biomarkers (TSG101, CD9, CD63, and CD81) were observed and measured. After hESEVs were injected into the vitreous cavity of RCS rats, the retinal tissues and retinal functions of rats were assessed. The alteration of Müller cells and retinal progenitor cells was also recorded. Microvesicles (MVs) or exosomes (EXOs) were extracted from hESCs transfected with sh-HSP90 or pcDNA3.1-HSP9, and then incubated with Müller cells to measure the uptake of EVs, MVs, or EXOs in Müller cells by immunofluorescence. The retrodifferentiation of Müller cells was determined by measuring Vimentin and CHX10. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect HSP90 expression in MVs and evaluate Oct4 level in Müller cells, and Co-IP to inspect the interaction of HSP90 and Oct4.

Results

RCS rats at the postnatal 30 days had increased retinal progenitor cells which were dedifferentiated from Müller cells. hESEVs were successfully extracted from hESCs, evidenced by morphology observation and positive expressions of specific biomarkers (TSG101, CD9, CD63, and CD81). hESEVs promoted Müller cells dedifferentiated and retrodifferentiated into retinal progenitor cells evidenced by the existence of a large amount of CHX10-positive cells in the retinal inner layer of RCS rats in response to hESEV injection. The promotive role of hESEVs was exerted by MVs demonstrated by elevated fluorescence intensity of CHX10 and suppressed Vimentin fluorescence intensity in MVs rather than in EXOs. HSP90 in MVs inhibited the retrodifferentiation of Müller cells and suppressed the expression level of Oct4 in Müller cells. Co-IP revealed that HSP90 can target Oct4 in Müller cells.

Conclusion

hESEVs could promote the retrodifferentiation of Müller cells into retinal progenitor cells by regulating the expression of Oct4 in Müller cells by HSP90 mediation in MVs.
Characterisation of ovine bone marrow-derived stromal cells (oBMSC) and evaluation of chondrogenically induced micro-pellets for cartilage tissue repair in vivo
Authors: Futrega K. , Music E. , Robey P. G. , Gronthos S. , Crawford R. , Saifzadeh S. , Klein T. J. , Doran M. R.
Published: January 2021

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) show promise in cartilage repair, and sheep are the most common large animal pre-clinical model.

Objective

The objective of this study was to characterise ovine BMSC (oBMSC) in vitro, and to evaluate the capacity of chondrogenic micro-pellets manufactured from oBMSC or ovine articular chondrocytes (oACh) to repair osteochondral defects in sheep.

Design

oBMSC were characterised for surface marker expression using flow cytometry and evaluated for tri-lineage differentiation capacity. oBMSC micro-pellets were manufactured in a microwell platform, and chondrogenesis was compared at 2%, 5%, and 20% O2. The capacity of cartilage micro-pellets manufactured from oBMSC or oACh to repair osteochondral defects in adult sheep was evaluated in an 8-week pilot study.

Results

Expanded oBMSC were positive for CD44 and CD146 and negative for CD45. The common adipogenic induction ingredient, 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), was toxic to oBMSC, but adipogenesis could be restored by excluding IBMX from the medium. BMSC chondrogenesis was optimal in a 2% O2 atmosphere. Micro-pellets formed from oBMSC or oACh appeared morphologically similar, but hypertrophic genes were elevated in oBMSC micro-pellets. While oACh micro-pellets formed cartilage-like repair tissue in sheep, oBMSC micro-pellets did not.

Conclusion

The sensitivity of oBMSC, compared to human BMSC, to IBMX in standard adipogenic assays highlights species-associated differences. Micro-pellets manufactured from oACh were more effective than micro-pellets manufactured from oBMSC in the repair of osteochondral defects in sheep. While oBMSC can be driven to form cartilage-like tissue in vitro, the effective use of these cells in cartilage repair will depend on the successful mitigation of hypertrophy and tissue integration.
GABAB receptor antagonist promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and facilitates cognitive function recovery following acute cerebral ischemia in mice
Authors: Song Dan , Chen Yaohua , Chen Cheng , Chen Lili , Cheng Oumei
Published: January 2021

Purpose and background

Previous studies have suggested that promoting endogenous neurogenesis has great significance for the recovery of cognitive dysfunction caused by cerebral ischemia (CI). Pharmacological inhibition of GABAB receptor can enhance neurogenesis in adult healthy and depressed mice. In the study, we intended to investigate the effects of GABAB receptor antagonists on cognitive function and hippocampal neurogenesis in mice following CI.

Methods

Adult mice were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for 20 min to induce CI and treated with CGP52432 (antagonist of GABAB receptor, CGP, 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection) starting 24 h after CI. The Morris water maze test was performed to test spatial learning and memory at day 28. Immunofluorescence was applied to detect neurogenesis in the DG region at day 14 and 28. In in vitro experiments, cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 and immunofluorescence, and the expression of cAMP/CREB signaling pathway-related proteins was detected by ELISA assay and Western blot.

Results

CGP significantly improved spatial learning and memory disorders caused by CI, and it enhanced the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs), the number of immature neurons, and the differentiation from newborn cells to neurons. In vitro experiments further confirmed that CGP dose-dependently enhanced the cell viability of NSCs, and immunofluorescence staining showed that CGP promoted the proliferation of NSCs. In addition, treatment with CGP increased the expression of cAMP, PKA, and pCREB in cultured NSCs.

Conclusion

Inhibition of GABAB receptor can effectively promote hippocampal neurogenesis and improve spatial learning and memory in adult mice following CI.
Production of transglutaminase in glutathione-producing recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hirono-Hara Yoko , Yui Miyuu , Hara Kiyotaka Y.
Published: January 2021

Transglutaminase (TG) catalyzes the formation of cross-links between proteins. TG from Streptoverticillium mobaraense (SmTG) is used widely in food, cosmetic, biomaterial and medical industries. SmTG is occasionally supplied as a mixture with the activator peptide glutathione. Currently, glutathione is industrially produced using a budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, because of its intracellular high content of glutathione. In this study, active SmTG was produced together with glutathione in S. cerevisiae. SmTG extracted from S. cerevisiae expressing SmTG showed cross-linking activity when BSA and sodium caseinate were substrates. The cross-linking activity of SmTG increased proportionally as the concentration of added glutathione increased. Furthermore, SmTG was prepared by extracting SmTG from an engineered S. cerevisiae whose glutathione synthetic pathway was enhanced. The SmTG solution showed higher activity when compared with a SmTG solution prepared from a S. cerevisiae strain without enhanced glutathione production. This result indicates that a high content of intracellular glutathione further enhances active SmTG production in S. cerevisiae. S. cerevisiae co-producing SmTG and a higher content of glutathione has the potential to supply a ready-to-use industrial active TG solution.
STAT3 plays an important role in DNA replication by turning on WDHD1
Authors: Zhou Yunying , Chen Jason J.
Published: January 2021

Background

Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that plays a key role in many cellular processes such as cell growth and cancer. However, the functions and mechanisms by which STAT3 regulates cellular processes are not fully understood.

Results

Here we describe a novel function of STAT3. We demonstrated that STAT3 plays an important role in DNA replication. Specifically, knockdown of STAT3 reduced DNA replication while activation and ectopic expression of STAT3 promoted DNA replication. We further identified the WD repeat and HMG-box DNA-binding protein 1 (WDHD1), which plays an important role in DNA replication initiation, as a novel STAT3 target gene that mediated the DNA replication function of STAT3. We showed that STAT3 bind the promoter/up regulatory region of WDHD1 gene.

Conclusions

These studies identified a novel function of STAT3 that is mediated by its newly identified target gene WDHD1 and have important implications.
An efficient approach for solution of fractional-order Helmholtz equations
Authors: Shah Nehad Ali , El-Zahar Essam R. , Aljoufi Mona D. , Chung Jae Dong
Published: January 2021

In this article, a hybrid technique called the homotopy perturbation Elzaki transform method has been implemented to solve fractional-order Helmholtz equations. In the hybrid technique, the Elzaki transform method and the homotopy perturbation method are amalgamated. Three problems are solved to validate and demonstrate the efficacy of the present technique. It is also demonstrated that the results obtained from the suggested technique are in excellent agreement with the results by other techniques. It is shown that the proposed method is efficient, reliable and easy to implement for various related problems of science and engineering.
Stable bagging feature selection on medical data
Authors: Alelyani Salem
Published: January 2021

In the medical field, distinguishing genes that are relevant to a specific disease, let’s say colon cancer, is crucial to finding a cure and understanding its causes and subsequent complications. Usually, medical datasets are comprised of immensely complex dimensions with considerably small sample size. Thus, for domain experts, such as biologists, the task of identifying these genes have become a very challenging one, to say the least. Feature selection is a technique that aims to select these genes, or features in machine learning field with respect to the disease. However, learning from a medical dataset to identify relevant features suffers from thecurse-of-dimensionality. Due to a large number of features with a small sample size, the selection usually returns a different subset each time a new sample is introduced into the dataset. This selection instability is intrinsically related to data variance. We assume that reducing data variance improves selection stability. In this paper, we propose an ensemble approach based on the bagging technique to improve feature selection stability in medical datasets via data variance reduction. We conducted an experiment using four microarray datasets each of which suffers from high dimensionality and relatively small sample size. On each dataset, we applied five well-known feature selection algorithms to select varying number of features. The proposed technique shows a significant improvement in selection stability while at least maintaining the classification accuracy. The stability improvement ranges from 20 to 50 percent in all cases. This implies that the likelihood of selecting the same features increased 20 to 50 percent more. This is accompanied with the increase of classification accuracy in most cases, which signifies the stated results of stability.
The spectral scalings of magnetic fluctuations upstream and downstream of the Venusian bow shock
Authors: Xiao S. D. , Wu M. Y. , Wang G. Q. , Chen Y. Q. , Zhang T. L.
Published: January 2021

We statistically investigate the spectral scalings of magnetic fluctuations at the upstream and downstream regions near the Venusian bow shock and perform a differentiation by shock geometry. Based on the Venus Express data, 115 quasi-parallel ($$Q_{\parallel }$$

Q
‖

) bow shock crossings and 303 quasi-perpendicular ($$Q_{ \bot }$$

Q
⊥

) bow shock crossings are selected. The statistical results suggest that the bow shock tends to modify the upstream spectra flatter to 1/f noise in the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) regime and steeper to turbulence in the kinetic regime after the magnetic fluctuations crossing the bow shock, and this modification for the $$Q_{\parallel }$$

Q
‖

and $$Q_{ \bot }$$

Q
⊥

bow shocks is basically consistent. However, the upstream spectral scalings are associated with the shock geometry. The changes of the spectral scalings of magnetic fluctuations near the $$Q_{\parallel }$$

Q
‖

bow shocks are not as significant as near the $$Q_{ \bot }$$

Q
⊥

bow shock crossings. That might result from the fluctuations generated by the backstreaming ions which can escape across the $$Q_{\parallel }$$

Q
‖

bow shock into the foreshock. Our results suggest that the energy cascade and dissipation near Venus can be modified by the Venusian bow shock, and the $$Q_{\parallel }$$

Q
‖

bow shock plays an important role on the energy injection and dissipation in the solar wind interaction with Venus. The large dispersion of spectral scalings indicates that this fluctuation environment is complicated, and the shock geometry is not the only key factor in the fluctuations across the Venusian bow shock. Other possible factors in the shock modification to the upstream fluctuations will be explored in future.
How can basic research on spatial cognition enhance the visual accessibility of architecture for people with low vision?
Authors: Creem-Regehr Sarah H. , Barhorst-Cates Erica M. , Tarampi Margaret R. , Rand Kristina M. , Legge Gordon E.
Published: January 2021

People with visual impairment often rely on their residual vision when interacting with their spatial environments. The goal of visual accessibility is to design spaces that allow for safe travel for the large and growing population of people who have uncorrectable vision loss, enabling full participation in modern society. This paper defines the functional challenges in perception and spatial cognition with restricted visual information and reviews a body of empirical work on low vision perception of spaces on both local and global navigational scales. We evaluate how the results of this work can provide insights into the complex problem that architects face in the design of visually accessible spaces.
Assessing the acceptability, reliability, and validity of the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) in Kenyan cancer patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Davda Jasmine , Kibet Hillary , Achieng Emmah , Atundo Lawrence , Komen Truphena
Published: January 2021

Background

In oncology practice, eliciting the patient’s perspective on their quality of life (QOL) adds important information and value to their treatment and care. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) is the most commonly used tool for this purpose but has not been validated in Kenya. The present study aimed to conduct a preliminary assessment of the QOL among Kenyan cancer patients and examine the psychometric properties of the tool in this population.

One hundred patients with heterogeneous types of cancer were enrolled in this cross-sectional study between July and August 2019. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was administered to patients using either the English or Kiswahili official version. Descriptive statistics were used to assess patient demographics and clinical characteristics. The psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-C30 were evaluated in terms of acceptability, internal consistency, and construct validity using statistical software packages, STATA and SPSS.

Results

The EORTC QLQ-C30 was found to be acceptable for use in our patient population as indicated by high compliance and low missing responses. Of the 100 patients, 66 were able to self-administer the questionnaire. The average time for completion was 13 min. Preliminary QOL assessment indicated an average QOL in Kenyan cancer patients (53 ± 27). Among the function scales, participants scored the lowest on the social function scale (51 ± 36) whereas among the symptom scales, participants scored the highest on the financial difficulties scale (79 ± 31). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient values ranged from 0.72–0.95, illustrating the reliability of the scales measured. Interscale correlations were statistically significant (p < 0.05), indicating clinical validity of the data collected. The magnitudes of the correlations between the physical functioning scale and the role functioning, pain, and fatigue scales were consistent with the values published in other studies across different geographical populations, further cross-validating the results from our study.

Conclusion

The results from this study provide important first insights into using EORTC QLQ-C30 in the Kenyan population. We conclude that the questionnaire is an acceptable, reliable, and valid instrument for measuring the QOL in cancer patients in Kenya and recommend its use in clinical practice.
Stature estimation from handprint measurements: an application to the medicolegal investigation
Authors: Asadujjaman Md. , Hossain Md. Golzer , Rana Md. Sohel , Islam Md. Zahidul
Published: January 2021

Background

The estimation of the stature of human beings is a major part of medicolegal investigation when only body parts are found. The study aimed to estimate the stature from different handprint measurements in a Bangladeshi population using statistical considerations. A sample of 200 young Bangladeshi adults (100 men and 100 women) with no physical disabilities participated in this study. Stature and seven anthropometric measurements were measured using standard anthropometric measurements. The bilateral asymmetry was tested using the independent t test. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) between the stature and different handprint measurements was calculated. Consequently, the simple and multiple linear regression models were developed to estimate the stature from the handprint measurements.

Results

The bilateral asymmetry was statistically not significant (p > 0.05) in right and left handprints. Sex difference significantly (p < 0.05) influences the relationship between stature and handprint measurements. A positive and strong coefficient of correlation (R) value presents between stature and the handprint measurements. The right 2nd digit length in men (R = + 0.709, R2 = 0.502, SEE = ± 44.141 mm) and the right handprint length in women (R = + 0.552, R2 = 0.305, SEE = ± 49.074 mm) were the most reliable estimator of stature. However, when data were combined for both sexes, the right handprint length was identified as the most reliable estimator of stature with higher values of R (+ 0.777) and R2 (0.603), and a lower value of SEE (± 55.520). Multiple regression equation showed greater reliability than linear regression equations in stature estimation from handprint measurements in Bangladeshi population.

Conclusions

It was concluded that the estimation of stature from handprint measurements is possible and reliable. The findings of this study are very useful from the forensic and medicolegal point of view and can use to estimate the stature in Bangladeshi population.
The olfactory organ of schilbid catfish Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822): morphological and ultrastructural studies
Authors: Ghosh Saroj Kumar
Published: January 2021

Background

A study of the olfactory organ structure in freshwater catfish,Eutropiichthys vacha, was carried out to explore the cellular constituents by aid of light as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Results

The paired elongated olfactory organs were situated on the dorsolateral facet of the head in the mold of simple pits. The olfactory organ was made up of a series of leaflets, the lamellae, which embedded into both sideways of slender central raphe, forming a rosette distinguished with sensory and nonsensory areas. The sensory receptor cells were present on sideward surface and linguiform process of olfactory lamella while the rest of the portion of the lamella was lined with nonsensory epithelium. Olfactory cells were characterized by their staining intensity, outline, surface features, and comprehensive morphology in the epithelium. The sensory mucosa was defined by the occurrence of three types of neuron: classic types bearing either cilia or numerous microvilli and third type having rod-shaped architecture. The nonsensory epithelium was composed of mucous cells, labyrinth cells, mast cells, and two types of supporting cells categorized as ciliated or nonciliated. Basal cells lie deep in the olfactory lining, near the central core.

Conclusion

The structural components of the olfactory apparatus crucial for olfaction were correlated with the behavioral activities of fish.
Evaluation of lambda-cyhalothrin oxidative stress and gonad histoarchitecture toxicity potency in Clarias gariepinus
Authors: Ezenwosu Samuel U. , Nnamonu Emmanuel I. , Odo Gregory Ejikeme , Ikele Bright C. , Ani Ogonna C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Extensive and indiscriminate use of pesticides gradually destroys the environment (ecosystem), poses serious threats to human health, animal life (especially aquatic), plant forms, soil, water, and also lead to emergence of resilient species of life forms that are becoming resistant to pesticides. The present study focused on evaluating lambda-cyhalothrin oxidative stress and gonad histoarchitecture toxicity potency in Clarias gariepinus.

Results

A total of 120 C. gariepinus 16 to 40 cm SL and 200 to 250 g bodyweights (assigned into treatments 0.00 (control), 2.5 × 10−4 μg/L, 5.0 × 10−4 μg/L, and 6.25×10−4 μg/L (A-D) lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT), each treatment consisted of 30 fishes, replicated three times, 10 fishes per replicate) were used for this study. On day 7, catalase activity (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) significantly increased (p < 0.05) in all treatments compared with control. Day 14, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GPx significantly increased (p < 0.05). All parameters significantly increased (p < 0.05) on days 21 and 28 except SOD (day 21). All parameters increased significantly on day 28 across the row in all treatments. The significant increase (p < 0.05) in SOD, (malondialdehyde) MDA, GPx, and glutathione reductase (GR) levels returned to normal after 7 days of depuration but CAT level did not return to normal. The testes photomicrographs showed necrotic conditions in the spermatogenic cells with nuclear pyknosis and cytoplasmic swelling while that of the ovary displayed vacuolations, flabby oocytes, and degenerated ovaries changes.

Conclusion

Lambda-cyhalothrin is toxic to C. gariepinus. The inability of significant increase in CAT to return to normal after 7 days of depuration further confirms our report.
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) leaves enhances disease resistance in Channa punctata from Vibrio harveyi infection
Authors: Verma Vipin Kumar , Prakash Om , Kumar R. Shiva Raj , Rani Kumari Vandana , Sehgal Neeta
Published: January 2021

Background

Channa punctata, Indian spotted snakehead, has a great economic value in south and south-east Asia being an important protein source for humans. Fish cultures are affected due to various bacterial and viral infections. Vibrio harveyi is a fish pathogenic bacteria which causes several outbreaks throughout the world and leads to huge mortalities. In this study, leaves of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) were used to investigate its immunostimulatory potential in Channa punctata.

Results

The immunostimulatory effects of water hyacinth leaves were studied in fish fed with 2.5% and 5% supplementary feed (experimental groups) in comparison to normal feed (control groups). Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of E. crassipes methanol extract showed presence of various components which have immunostimulatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. The antibacterial activity, antioxidant potential, and presence of phenol and flavonoids in methanol and ethanol extracts supported its use in fish feed. The healthy acclimatized fish were challenged with V. harveyi weekly. Liver function tests, alkaline phosphatase levels, and immunoglobulin content in the experimental groups were improved with respect to those in the positive control group. The spleen and head kidney were obtained at the final day of experiment, and macrophages were isolated; higher percentage of phagocytosis and phagocytic index indicated enhanced cell-mediated immune response in fish due to supplemented feed.

Conclusion

Plant-infused feed with leaves of E. crassipes can be recommended as a regular feed supplement to enhance fish immunity and disease resistance against the V. harveyi infection.
Troponin-I elevation predicts outcome after thrombolysis in ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Nageeb Rania S. , Omran Alaa A. , Mohamed Wafaa S.
Published: January 2021

Background

Prognostic significance of troponin-I (T-I) elevation for poor short-term outcome in thrombolyzed ischemic stroke patients remains uncertain.

Objectives

To evaluate its role as a predictive biomarker of short-term outcome in thrombolyzed ischemic stroke patients.

Methods

This study included 72 acute ischemic stroke patients who were treated with intravenous thrombolytic therapy. All patients were subjected to clinical assessment and measurement of serum T-I level on admission. Outcome was assessed 3 months after stroke onset using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin scale.

Results

Thirteen patients had elevated serum T-I level (group 1) and the remaining 59 were classified as group 2. Group 1 had a higher statistically significant older age, history of diabetes mellitus (DM), previous stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), and admission NIHSS score, with significant decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05). Regarding the outcome of both groups, good outcome was significantly less common among group 1. Also, death was significantly more common among group I. Poor outcome in group 1 were significantly associated with older age, DM, AF, elevated serum T-I level at admission, and higher admission NIHSS score (P = 0.03, 0.04, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.001 respectively). The predictors of poor outcome in group 1 were elevated serum T-I level at admission, higher admission NIHSS score, and DM (P = 0.001, 0.02, and 0.05 respectively).

Conclusion

Elevated serum T-I levels on admission is a reliable prognostic predictor of poor outcome in thrombolyzed ischemic stroke patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT03925298 (19 April 2019) “retrospectively registered,”
Natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in multiple sclerosis (MS): “a case report from Ireland with review of literature, clinical pitfalls and future direction”
Authors: Mansoor Salman , Mullane Gerard , Adenan Mohammad Hijaz , Kelly Siobhan , Water Aine , McPartland Grainne , Murphy Kevin
Published: January 2021

Background

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is one of the most serious treatment-related complications that is encountered in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). PML is a serious complication of MS treatment which is most commonly related to natalizumab.

Case presentation

We report clinical course of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in a 40-year-old man who was on treatment for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with natalizumab (Nz). He was treated with steroids, cidofovir, and mirtazapine and went on to develop long-term disability. The case describes the evolution of PML from diagnosis up till 5 months with changes on sequential brain scans and clinical symptoms in our patient.

Conclusion

Patients who are on natalizumab should be aware and consented for the risk of PML. They should be periodically re-assessed for their relative PML risk. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests switching patients from natalizumab who have a higher risk of PML to other safer treatment options.
Towards sound use of statistics in nematology
Authors: Abd-Elgawad Mahfouz M. M.
Published: January 2021

Background

Inclusion of the statistical approach in the planning stage of adequate experimental design is crucial for correctly achieving the required conclusions. Modern applied statistics has been used extensively in nematological research worldwide. Although hypothesis testing is still essential to relevant research topics, more emphasis is directed towards other significant issues.

Main body

Issues of estimating the magnitudes of differences among various treatments, conception of optimum sampling size, determining spatial and temporal distribution of nematode ecology, nematode-host suitability designation, prediction of crop yield loss caused by plant-parasitic nematodes and other effects were discussed. So, this study presents highlights of developments in nematological statistics. Moreover, modern statistics should address issues of other nematology-associated disciplines. For example, statistics applied to compare the reliability of molecularly examined samples showed that fairly low-cost metabarcoding had significantly better accuracy in quantifying and identifying the extracted entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) than that of quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Thus, statistics could contribute to a cost-effective, value-added approach to pest management programs. Moreover, an empirical method to improve application strategies of EPNs could be recently modified concerning index of nematode dispersion in terms of the thumb rule value for the nematode-random distribution.

Conclusion

Common misuses of statistics in both nematological research and reporting could be avoided but useful conclusions via sound and modern statistical analyses of the data should be drawn.
SOP: emergency workup in patients with suspected acute bacterial meningitis
Authors: Dyckhoff-Shen Susanne , Koedel Uwe , Pfister Hans-Walter , Klein Matthias
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Despite antibiotic therapy, adjunctive treatment with dexamethasone, and care on modern intensive care units, bacterial meningitis remains a life-threatening disease with a high mortality and morbidity. One of most critical factors that influences outcome is a targeted quick but profound workup and early initiation of therapy in the Emergency Department. This standardized operating procedure was designed to guide physicians through the workup of patients with suspected acute bacterial meningitis.

First steps

In patients with suspected community-acquired bacterial meningitis, the first steps aim at establishing a diagnosis and at starting empiric therapy without delay. Therefore, physicians need to seek for an early lumbar puncture that can be done safely without prior imaging if clinical signs that point at contraindications of a lumbar puncture are absent. Immediately after lumbar puncture, empiric therapy with ceftriaxone, ampicillin and dexamethasone should be started. In regions with a critical resistance rate of pneumococci against third generation cephalosporines, vancomycin or rifampicin need to be added.

Comments

Clinical signs that are associated with intracranial conditions that are a contraindication for a lumbar puncture are severely decreased consciousness, new onset focal neurological signs, and epileptic seizures. If any of these clinical signs are present, cerebral imaging is recommended before lumbar puncture. Whenever lumbar puncture is delayed, empiric therapy needs to be begun before cerebrospinal fluid is obtained.

Conclusion

Suspected acute bacterial meningitis is an emergency and requires attention with high priority in the emergency department to ensure a quick workup and early start of therapy.
Temporal changes in the gut microbiota in farmed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) outweigh the response to diet supplementation with macroalgae
Authors: Keating C. , Bolton-Warberg M. , Hinchcliffe J. , Davies R. , Whelan S. , Wan A. H. L. , Fitzgerald R. D. , Davies S. J. , Ijaz U. Z. , Smith C. J.
Published: January 2021

Background

Aquaculture successfully meets global food demands for many fish species. However, aquaculture production of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is just 2.5% of total market production. For cod farming to be a viable economic venture specific challenges on how to increase growth, health and farming productivity need to be addressed. Feed ingredients play a key role here. Macroalgae (seaweeds) have been suggested as a functional feed supplement with both health and economic benefits for terrestrial farmed animals and fish. The impact of such dietary supplements to cod gut integrity and microbiota, which contribute to overall fish robustness is unknown. The objective of this study was to supplement the diet of juvenile Atlantic cod with macroalgae and determine the impacts on fish condition and growth, gut morphology and hindgut microbiota composition (16S rRNA amplicon sequencing). Fish were fed one of three diets: control (no macroalgal inclusion), 10% inclusion of either egg wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) or sea lettuce (Ulva rigida) macroalgae in a 12-week trial.

Results

The results demonstrated there was no significant difference in fish condition, gut morphology or hindgut microbiota between the U. rigida supplemented fish group and the control group at any time-point. This trend was not observed with the A. nodosum treatment. Fish within this group were further categorised as either ‘Normal’ or ‘Lower Growth’. ‘Lower Growth’ individuals found the diet unpalatable resulting in reduced weight and condition factor combined with an altered gut morphology and microbiome relative to the other treatments. Excluding this group, our results show that the hindgut microbiota was largely driven by temporal pressures with the microbial communities becoming more similar over time irrespective of dietary treatment. The core microbiome at the final time-point consisted of the orders Vibrionales (Vibrio and Photobacterium), Bacteroidales (Bacteroidetes and Macellibacteroides) and Clostridiales (Lachnoclostridium).

Conclusions

Our study indicates that U. rigida macroalgae can be supplemented at 10% inclusion levels in the diet of juvenile farmed Atlantic cod without any impact on fish condition or hindgut microbial community structure. We also conclude that 10% dietary inclusion of A. nodosum is not a suitable feed supplement in a farmed cod diet.
A reconstructed discontinuous Galerkin method for compressible flows on moving curved grids
Authors: Wang Chuanjin , Luo Hong
Published: January 2021

A high-order accurate reconstructed discontinuous Galerkin (rDG) method is developed for compressible inviscid and viscous flows in arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation on moving and deforming unstructured curved meshes. Taylor basis functions in the rDG method are defined on the time-dependent domain, where the integration and computations are performed. The Geometric Conservation Law (GCL) is satisfied by modifying the grid velocity terms on the right-hand side of the discretized equations at Gauss quadrature points. A radial basis function (RBF) interpolation method is used for propagating the mesh motion of the boundary nodes to the interior of the mesh. A third order Explicit first stage, Single Diagonal coefficient, diagonally Implicit Runge-Kutta scheme (ESDIRK3) is employed for the temporal integration. A number of benchmark test cases are conducted to assess the accuracy and robustness of the rDG-ALE method for moving and deforming boundary problems. The numerical experiments indicate that the developed rDG method can attain the designed spatial and temporal orders of accuracy, and the RBF method is effective and robust to avoid excessive distortion and invalid elements near moving boundaries.
Establishing a primary care audit and feedback implementation laboratory: a consensus study
Authors: Alderson Sarah L. , Bald Alexander , Carder Paul , Farrin Amanda , Foy Robbie
Published: January 2021

Background

There is a significant variation among individual primary care providers in prescribing of potentially problematic, low-value medicines which cause avoidable patient harm. Audit and feedback is generally effective at improving prescribing. However, progress has been hindered by research waste, leading to unanswered questions about how to include audit and feedback for specific problems and circumstances. Trials of different ways of providing audit and feedback in implementation laboratories have been proposed as a way of improving population healthcare while generating robust evidence on feedback effects. However, there is limited experience in their design and delivery.

Aim

To explore priorities, feasibility, and ethical challenges of establishing a primary care prescribing audit and feedback implementation laboratory.

Design and setting

Two-stage Delphi consensus process involving primary care pharmacy leads, audit and feedback researchers, and patient and public.

Method

Participants initially scored statements relating to priorities, feasibility, and ethical considerations for an implementation laboratory. These covered current feedback practice, priority topics for feedback, usefulness of feedback in improving prescribing and different types of prescribing data, acceptability and desirability of different organization levels of randomization, options for trial consent, different methods of delivering feedback, and interest in finding out how effective different ways of presenting feedback would be. After receiving collated results, participants then scored the items again. The consensus was defined using the GRADE criteria. The results were analyzed by group and overall score.

Results

Fourteen participants reached consensus for 38 out of 55 statements. Addressing antibiotic and opioid prescribing emerged as the highest priorities for action. The panel supported statements around addressing high-priority prescribing issues, taking an “opt-out” approach to practice consent if waiving consent was not permitted, and randomizing at lower rather than higher organizational levels. Participants supported patient-level prescribing data and further research evaluating most of the different feedback methods we presented them with.

Conclusions

There is a good level of support for evaluating a wide range of potential enhancements to improve the effects of feedback on prescribing. The successful design and delivery of a primary care audit and feedback implementation laboratory depend on identifying shared priorities and addressing practical and ethical considerations.