bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assurances of Voluntary Compliance: A Regulatory Mechanism to Reduce Youth Access to E-Cigarettes and Limit Retail Tobacco Marketing
Authors: Henriksen Lisa , Schleicher Nina C. , Johnson Trent O. , Lee Joseph G. L.
Published: December 2019

Objectives. To evaluate assurances of voluntary compliance (AVCs) between state attorneys general and retail chains by assessing e-cigarette sales to underage decoys and tobacco marketing violations in corporate-owned stores (that sign AVCs) and franchise stores (that do not sign AVCs).

Methods. Decoys 18 to 19 years of age attempted to purchase e-cigarettes without presenting ID in California convenience stores (n = 540). Auditors characterized the presence and content of age-of-sale signage and advertising for tobacco products. Data were collected and analyzed in 2018.

Results. Corporate-owned stores were less likely than were franchise stores to violate ID requests (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.12, 0.71) and to sell e-cigarettes illegally (AOR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.15, 0.88). Regardless of AVC category, advertising violations were common in stores (vaping products, 26.3%; other tobacco products, 74.3%).

Conclusions. The differences in violation rates found in corporate and franchise stores imply that AVCs could reduce youth access to e-cigarettes. However, merchant education and routine enforcement are needed to better leverage restrictions on retail tobacco marketing in AVCs.

Public Health Implications. Strengthening compliance with existing AVCs and establishing new agreements with retailers shown to be in violation through federal or state inspections could reduce youth access to e-cigarettes and exposure to tobacco marketing.
High Ambient Temperature and Infant Mortality in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: A Case–Crossover Study
Authors: Schinasi Leah H. , Bloch Joan Rosen , Melly Steven , Zhao Yuzhe , Moore Kari , De Roos Anneclaire J.
Published: December 2019

Objective. To quantify the association between heat and infant mortality and identify factors that influence infant vulnerability to heat.

Methods. We conducted a time-stratified case–crossover analysis of associations between ambient temperature and infant mortality in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the warm months of 2000 through 2015. We used conditional logistic regression models to estimate associations of infant mortality with daily temperatures on the day of death (lag 0) and for averaging periods of 0 to 1 to 0 to 3 days before the day of death. We explored modification of associations by individual and census tract–level characteristics and by amounts of green space.

Results. Risk of infant mortality increased by 22.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.0%, 42.6%) for every 1°C increase in minimum daily temperature over 23.9°C on the day of death. We observed limited evidence of effect modification across strata of the covariates.

Conclusions. Our results contribute to a growing body of evidence that infants are a subpopulation that is particularly vulnerable to climate change effects. Further research using large data sets is critically needed to elucidate modifiable factors that may protect infants against heat vulnerability.
Cannabis Surveillance With Twitter Data: Emerging Topics and Social Bots
Authors: Allem Jon-Patrick , Escobedo Patricia , Dharmapuri Likhit
Published: December 2019

Objectives. To use publicly accessible data from people who post to Twitter to rapidly capture and describe the public’s recent experiences with cannabis.

Methods. We obtained Twitter posts containing cannabis-related terms from May 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. We used methods to distinguish between posts from social bots and nonbots. We used text classifiers to identify topics in posts (n = 60 861).

Results. Prevalent topics of posts included using cannabis with mentions of cannabis initiation, processed cannabis products, and health and medical with posts suggesting that cannabis could help with cancer, sleep, pain, anxiety, depression, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Polysubstance use was a common topic with mentions of cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, LSD, meth, mushrooms, and Xanax along with cannabis. Social bots regularly made health claims about cannabis.

Conclusions. Findings suggest that processed cannabis products, unsubstantiated health claims about cannabis products, and the co-use of cannabis with legal and illicit substances warrant considerations by public health researchers in the future.
Un enfoque actual sobre la fibrotomía como terapia para evitar recidiva en los tratamientos de ortodoncia. Una revisión
Authors: Anaya Espinoza Sven Mario
Published: December 2019

Esta investigación se basa en la revisión de un tratamiento coadyuvante a la contención fija o removible postratamiento de ortodoncia para reducir la recidiva. La recidiva postratamiento de  ortodoncia es un problema frecuente sobre todo en pacientes que tuvieron las piezas dentarias muy giradas o inclinadas, incluso en pacientes portadores de aparatos de contención fija o removible. Actualmente, se consideran a las fibras transeptales como causantes de las recidivas, especialmente las oxitalánicas por la posición que adoptan desde la unión cemento-adamantina de un diente hasta la misma unión del diente contiguo pasando sobre la cresta alveolar y por sus características elásticas. La fibrotomía circunferencial supracrestal (FCS) surge como una terapia coadyuvante para reducir las tasas de recidivas postratamiento de ortodoncia. El objetivo de la presente revisión de la literatura es describir el enfoque actual sobre la fibrotomía como terapia eficiente y estable a largo plazo para evitar la recidiva en los tratamientos de ortodoncia. La técnica quirúrgica no ha sufrido variaciones, pero sí han surgido autores que buscan realizar la FCS con diferentes instrumentos, tales como la electrocirugía y el láser de diodos de baja intensidad. A largo plazo, no existen diferencias significativas entre los diferentes instrumentos utilizados para la FCS comparados con la convencional, pero sí existen diferencias significativas entre realizar la FCS y no realizarla. La FCS es una terapia eficiente y estable sin importar el instrumento utilizado.
Os (con)textos da resistência feminina: nação, guerra e identidade em obras de Mia Couto e de Paulina Chiziane
Authors: Micheletti Everton Fernando
Published: December 2019

As produções literárias dos escritores Mia Couto e Paulina Chiziane são marcadas pela preocupação com a situação das mulheres em Moçambique, passando pelos momentos de guerras e, consequentemente, de tensões nas relações sociais e familiares. Neste artigo, são analisadas algumas obras dos dois autores, levantando-se questões sobre as divisões de gênero com base na sexualidade, com ênfase na temática da resistência feminina no contexto da nação ex-colonial.
“Espaço do povo”: notas sobre o ethos discursivo do jornal comunitário de Paraisópolis
Authors: Jurkovich Jaqueline
Published: December 2019

Neste artigo, a partir do aparato teórico-metodológico da Análise do Discurso de linha francesa, com ênfase nas reflexões de Dominique Maingueneau, analisamos o ethos discursivo do Espaço do Povo, jornal comunitário de Paraisópolis, a segunda maior favela da cidade de São Paulo. Do ponto de vista em questão, o ethos diz respeito à imagem que o enunciador projeta de si em seu discurso pelo modo como enuncia. Assim, não se trata exatamente do que o enunciador diz a respeito de si, mas das características psicológicas que projeta pelo modo de se exprimir. Desse modo, pelo ethos, tratamos de identificar, neste trabalho, a imagem do enunciador desse discurso e do universo em que ele se encontra, observando, para isso, certos indícios textuais de ordens diversas. A hipótese principal deste artigo é a de que a imagem de um jornal comunitário pode estar distante das imagens estereotipadas sobre a população carente e sobre a periferia das grandes cidades.
Verbivocovisualidade no documentário “Histórias de quando a água chegou”: ato responsável e diálogo na constituição intersemiótica
Authors: Villarta-Neder Marco Antonio
Published: December 2019

O documentário Histórias de quando a água chegou – Antonio Adauto e os índios exibe a história de pessoas desalojadas por ocasião da construção da Usina Hidrelétrica de Furnas, em 1963. Esse corpus será analisado a partir do conceito de verbivocovisualidade, trazido para o contexto do Círculo de Bakhtin, Medviédev e Volóchinov por Paula e Serni (2017) e Stafuzza (2014). Pretendemos analisar enunciados verbivocovisuais, discutindo como: a) o diálogo intersemiótico entre vozes na narrativa do documentário estabelece atos responsáveis dos sujeitos Antonio Adauto, Jean Manzon e equipe autoral do documentário; b) os enunciados constituídos por/constitutivos desses sujeitos constituem-se como enunciados de dizer, de fazer, de compreensão e de silêncio); c) a constituição do enunciado verbivocovisual se dá pelo diálogo intersemiótico entre as semioses em diálogo entre si.
GESTÃO DE CUSTOS E URBANIZAÇÃO: ANÁLISE DA RENTABILIDADE DOS PRODUTOS DE UMA EMPRESA URBANIZADORA COM BASE NA MARGEM DE CONTRIBUIÇÃO/Cost management in an urbanization company: profitability analysis of products through contribution margin
Authors: Eckert Alex , Biasio Roberto , Mannrich Ana Paula Bellan , Mecca Marlei Salete
Published: December 2019

O estudo tem como objetivo principal a análise do comportamento da rentabilidade dos equipamentos e serviços de uma empresa urbanizadora, com base na margem de contribuição, visando evidenciar quais são os apresentam uma maior contribuição para o resultado. A pesquisa caracteriza-se como de natureza exploratória, com abordagem qualitativa e baseada em um estudo de caso. Através de documentos e relatórios, foi possível realizar o levantamento dos custos, despesas, produtividade e faturamento dos equipamentos e serviços. Com base nos dados apurados foram determinados os custos variáveis com base nas horas disponíveis, os custos variáveis com base nas horas trabalhadas, a margem da contribuição e a rentabilidade dos equipamentos e serviços da empresa. Os principais resultados encontrados na pesquisa mostram que dos itens analisados apenas um apresentou margem de contribuição negativa, porém conclui-se que a empresa possui um desequilíbrio entre a capacidade instalada e a capacidade utilizada, afetando deforma negativa os custos e consequentemente a margem de contribuição gerada pelos equipamentos e serviços.
A EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NA PERSPECTIVA DA GEOGRAFIA HUMANISTA: ENTRE O SER E O TER A NATUREZA/ Environmental Education in the Perspective of Humanist Geography: To be part of or to Possess the Nature
Authors: Santos Sheila Castro dos , Silva Carlandio Alves da
Published: December 2019

O presente artigo circunscreve as espacialidades cognitivas produzidas durante as experiências pedagógicas do ensino superior na disciplina de educação ambiental, as sugestões e as aplicações vividas em sala de aula foram analisadas e evidenciadas visando compartilhar os sentimentos de alguns discentes de geografia sobre o tema educação ambiental. O artigo também utiliza uma perspectiva analítica do método hermenêutico-fenomenológico que busca compreender as ações humanas no espaço, em suas construções e experiências. Utilizou-se o viés metodológico qualitativo, com a tipologia descritiva e explicativa, visando demonstrar o desenvolvimento do raciocínio voltado à educacional ambiental e sustentabilidade na compreensão fenomenológica, que é forjada no ser humano desde seu nascimento. Após análises, percebeu-se a necessidade do docente elaborar um plano de ensino, onde seja levado em conta alguns tópicos: a integração e harmonia com o ecossistema entre pessoas e os espaços vividos, a sensibilização de que todos fazem parte do planeta e são parte da natureza, conscientizar o papel cidadão do docente ou bacharel em geografia, o entendimento sobre o fetiche do consumo, são reflexões que devem ser compartilhados com os acadêmicos. Constatou-se que o entendimento da proposição humanística para educação ambiental reflete em uma consciência questionadora de si e das ações praticadas. Pensar no posicionamento dos professores de geografia e o quanto estes em sua ação didática podem contribuir para o florescimento de uma consciência cidadã voltada para educação ambiental e política, questionadora com sua essência na relação com a natureza.
Salivary proteome profile of women during fertile phase of menstrual cycle as characterized by mass spectrometry
Authors: Saibaba Ganesan , Rajesh Durairaj , Muthukumar Subramanian , Sathiyanarayanan Ganesan , Aarthy Archunan Priya , Padmanabhan Parasuraman , Gulyas Balazs , Akbarsha Mohammad Abdulkader , Archunan Govindaraju
Published: December 2019

Background: Human saliva contains several biomolecules, especially proteins, some of which have been found to serve as biomarkers of different physiological statuses and/or pathological conditions. Saliva is a much superior biological material for investigation over the other body fluids. Ovulation is such a critical physiological process that its non-invasive detection based on salivary protein biomarkers has several advantages in the human. Therefore, it was hypothesized that saliva would potentially contain non-invasive predictor(s)/detector(s) of ovulation. Methods: Samples were collected from women volunteers. The procedure adopted was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee (DM/2014/101/38), Bharathidasan University. The saliva samples were collected between 8.00 to 9.00 AM from 30 healthy female volunteers (age, mean = 24, range = 19 - 30), with a prior written consent. The protein expression pattern during different phases of menstrual cycle was analyzed using gel-based HR-LC-MS/MS and MALDI TOF/TOF. Results: As many as 530 proteins showed up in the saliva during ovulation phase whereas there were only 251 proteins during post-ovulation phase. The functional annotation of salivary proteins revealed that the proteins got assigned to the class of “extracellular proteins” which are concerned with regulatory functions. The 16 unique/differentially expressed protein spots appeared during ovulation phase, among which Cystatin-S, Prolactin-inducible protein, Cystatin-A, Cystatin-SN, BPI fold-containing family A member 2, Alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1, Carbonic anhydrase-6, Protein LEG1 homolog, Hemoglobin subunit beta, Pancreatic alpha-amylase were identified. Conclusions: These ten proteins that were highly expressed during ovulation phase would serve as indicator(s) of ovulation, but extensive validation is required before arriving at a conclusion.
Factors affecting beneficiary attendance in a community youth mental health promotion program in Karnataka, India.
Authors: Banandur Pradeep , Garady Lavanya , Arelingaiah Mutharaju , Gopalkrishna Gururaj , Koujageri Jyoti M , Sajjanar Sateesh L , Hadapad Basavaraj , K Srinivas
Published: December 2019

Context: Yuva Spandana is a unique community based Youth Mental Health Promotion program implemented across Karnataka. This program provides mental health promotion services like guidance and referral services for any issues related to youth. These services are provided through Youth Guidance centres established within every district stadium across Karnataka. We assessed factors affecting beneficiary attendance to these guidance centres across Karnataka. Methodology: A conceptual framework was developed to understand the factors affecting beneficiary attendance through stakeholder consultation. First time beneficiaries attending guidance centres between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2018 across 30 districts of Karnataka were considered study subjects. Requisite data were drawn from the computerized management information system (CMIS) specifically developed for the program. Multivariate Linear Regression was performed with factors affecting beneficiary attendance as outcome and a host of hypothesized variables within the conceptual framework as potential exposures that contribute towards beneficiary attendance. All variables significantly associated with outcome (p<0.10) in univariate and which changed the β-coefficient of atleast one preceding variable by 10% was retained in the multivariate model. Results: For every sensitization program where more than one issue was addressed, the beneficiary attendance increased by 84% (β =0.84; 95% CI=0.53-1.15). Reaching out to parent beneficiaries through sensitisation programs, increased beneficiary attendance at YSK by 79% (β =0.79; 95% CI=0.20-1.37). Referring clients to resource mapped organisations, significantly increased beneficiary attendance by 81% (β =0.81; 95% CI=0.34-1.28). For every percentage increase in reminder calls made to probable beneficiaries who sought support following a sensitization programme, beneficiary attendance increased by 2.18 times (β =2.18; 95% CI=0.52-3.83).Availability of internet connectivity at these guidance centres in 2017, increased beneficiary attendance by 18 times (β =18.00; 95% CI=5.86-30.13). Conclusion: This study provides important inputs towards increasing beneficiary attendance towards large scale youth mental health promotion programs. Addressing more than one issue during sensitisation programs among beneficiaries; conducting sensitization programs among parent groups; making reminder calls to beneficiaries who requested support through feedback forms to fix appointment at guidance centres; providing referrals to beneficiaries to seek services at resource mapped individuals/organizations and ensuring availability of internet in guidance centres increases beneficiary attendance.
A univariable and multivariable analysis of time-to-event data based on restricted mean survival time: A combination with traditional survival methods.
Authors: Huang Qiao , Lyv Jun , Li Bing-hui , Ma Lin-lu , Deng Tong , Zeng Xian-Tao
Published: December 2019

Background Hazard ratio is considered as an appropriate effect measure of time-to-event data. However, hazard ratio is only valid when proportional hazards (PH) assumption is met. The use of the restricted mean survival time (RMST) is proposed and recommended without limitation of PH assumption. Method 4405 osteosarcomas were captured from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program Database. Traditional survival analyses and RMST-based analyses were integrated into a flowchart and applied for univariable and multivariable analyses, using hazard ratio (HR) and difference in RMST (survival time lost or gain, STL or STG) as effect measures. The relationship between difference in RMST and HR were explored when PH assumption was and was not met, respectively. Results In univariable analyses, using difference in RMST calculated by Kaplan-Meier methods as reference, pseudo-value regressions (R2=0.99) and inverse probability of censoring probability (IPCW) regressions with group-specific weights (R2=1.00) provided more consistent estimation on difference in RMST than IPCW with individual weights (R2=0.09). In multivariable analysis, age (HR:1.03, STL: 3.86 months), diagnosis in 1970~1980s (HR:1.39 STL:27.49 months), metastasis (HR:4.47, STL: 202 months), surgery (HR:0.58, SLG:35.55 months) and radiation (HR:1.46, SLT:44.65 months), met PH assumption and were main independent factors for overall survival. In both univariable and multivariable variables, a robust negative logarithmic linear relationship between HRs estimated by Cox regression and differences in RMST by pseudo-value regressions was only observed when PH assumption was hold (Difference in RMST = -109.3✕ln (HR) - 0.83, R² = 0.97, and Difference = -127.7✕ln (HR) – 9.49, R² = 0.93, respectively.) Conclusion The flowchart will be intuitive and helpful to instruct appropriate use of RMST based and traditional methods. RMST-based methods provided an absolute effect measure to inspect effects of covariates on survival time and promote evidence communication with HR. Difference in RMST should be reported with hazard ratio routinely.
Tongue fissure visualization by using deep learning – an example of the application of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine
Authors: Chang Wen-Hsien , Wu Han-Kuei , Lo Lun-chien , Hsiao William W. L. , Chu Hsueh-Ting , Chang Hen-Hong
Published: December 2019

Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) describes physiological and pathological changes inside and outside the human body by the application of four methods of diagnosis. One of the four methods, tongue diagnosis, is widely used by TCM physicians, since it allows direct observations that prevent discrepancies in the patient’s history and, as such, provides clinically important, objective evidence. The clinical significance of tongue features has been explored in both TCM and modern medicine. However, TCM physicians may have different interpretations of the features displayed by the same tongue, and therefore intra- and inter-observer agreements are relatively low. If an automated interpretation system could be developed, more consistent results could be obtained, and learning could also be more efficient. This study will apply a recently developed deep learning method to the classification of tongue features, and indicate the regions where the features are located. Methods A large number of tongue photographs with labeled fissures were used. Transfer learning was conducted using the ImageNet-pretrained ResNet50 model to determine whether tongue fissures were identified on a tongue photograph. Often, the neural network model lacks interpretability, and users cannot understand how the model determines the presence of tongue fissures. Therefore, Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) was also applied to directly mark the tongue features on the tongue image. Results Only 6 epochs were trained in this study and no graphics processing units (GPUs) were used. It took less than 4 minutes for each epoch to be trained. The correct rate for the test set was approximately 70%. After the model training was completed, Grad-CAM was applied to localize tongue fissures in each image. The neural network model not only determined whether tongue fissures existed, but also allowed users to learn about the tongue fissure regions. Conclusions This study demonstrated how to apply transfer learning using the ImageNet-pretrained ResNet50 model for the identification and localization of tongue fissures and regions. The neural network model built in this study provided interpretability and intuitiveness, (often lacking in general neural network models), and improved the feasibility for clinical application.
The impact of protein supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage, soreness and fatigue following prolonged walking exercise in older adults a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Haaf Dominique ten , Bongers Coen C.W.G. , Hulshof Hugo G. , Eijsvogels Thijs M.H. , Hopman Maria T.E.
Published: December 2019

Background Protein supplementation can enhance recovery of exercise-induced muscle damage in young adults. It is currently unknown whether this could be extrapolated to older adults who have a disturbed muscle protein synthetic response. The aim of this study was to assess whether protein supplementation could attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage and soreness after prolonged moderate-intensity walking exercise in older adults.Methods In a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study, 104 participants (81% male, BMI: 26.5±2.5 kg/m 2 ) of 65 years or older used either a protein (n=50) or placebo supplement (n=54) during breakfast and directly after exercise cessation. Study participants walked 30/40/50 km per day on 3 consecutive days. Muscle soreness and fatigue were determined at baseline, and after the 1 st and 3 rd exercise day with a numeric rating scale. Blood samples, to measure plasma creatine kinase (CK) concentrations and serum inflammation markers, were obtained at baseline (pre-exercise), and after the 1 st and 3 rd exercise day.Results Habitual protein intake was comparable between the protein (0.92±0.27 g/kg/d) and placebo group (0.97±0.23 g/kg/d, P= 0.31). At baseline, comparable CK concentrations were found between the protein and the placebo group (110 (IQR: 84–160 U/L) and 115 (IQR: 91–186 U/L), respectively, P= 0.84). Prolonged walking (protein: 32±9 km/d, placebo: 33±6 km/d) resulted in a cumulative increase of CK in both the protein (∆283 (IQR: 182–662 U/L)) and placebo group (∆456 (IQR: 209–885 U/L)) after three days. CK elevations were not significantly different between groups ( P= 0.43). Similarly, no differences in inflammation markers, muscle soreness and fatigue were found between groups.Conclusions In contrast to findings in young adults, protein supplementation does not attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage, muscle soreness or fatigue in older adults performing prolonged moderate-intensity walking exercise.
Direct swim-up without centrifugation is a more recommended technique for sperm preparation in conventional IVF cycles
Authors: Lu Fang-Ting , Jin Ren-Tao , Xu Bo , Wu Li-Min , Zhou Na-Ru , Li Jing-Yao , Luan Hong-Bing , Liu Yu-Sheng , Tong Xian-Hong
Published: December 2019

Backgroud: The aim of this study is to investigate the most effective and maneuverable technique for sperm preparation in conventional IVF cycles. Method: A retrospective and laboratory-based study was conducted in patients who underwent their first cycle of IVF from January to December in 2016 to compare two sperm preparation techniques: direct swim-up without centrifugation (DSU) technique and density-gradient centrifugation followed by swim-up (DGC-SU) technique. A series of experiments in this study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of these two techniques which include: (i) assessment of quality and quantity of spermatozoa by comparing motility, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), acrosomal reaction (AR) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of DSU-separated sperm to DGC-SU-separated sperm, (ii) evaluation of safety of DSU technique by assessing the risks of bacterial contamination, (iii) analysis of feasibility of replacing DGC-SU with DSU technique by reviewing ART outcomes including fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, take-home baby rate and abortion rate. Results: Although there were no significant differences in DFI, AR and MMP between DSU-separated sperm and DGC-SU-separated sperm, significantly higher percentage of progressive motility in DSU-separated sperm were found than that in DGC-SU-separated sperm. Moreover, there were no significant differences between DSU and DGC-SU groups on ART outcomes based on data of fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, baby delivery rate and abortion rate. In addition, no bacterial contaminations were found in culture medium samples of simulating fertilization from DSU group. However, it is noticeable that DSU technique required less time and labor for sperm preparation compared with DGC-SU.
Current situation of the presence of the zoonotic nematode Dirofilaria immitis in dogs and humans in Bucaramanga, Colombia
Authors: Esteban-Mendoza M.Victoria , Arcila-Quiceno Víctor , Albarracín-Navas J. , Hernández Isabel , Alarcón C. Flechas , Morchón Rodrigo
Published: December 2019

Background: Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a zoonotic, vector-borne infection, whose main hosts are both domestic and wild canids and which can be transmitted to humans. It mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical climates, and temperature and humidity are the main factors that favor the presence and proliferation of Culicidae mosquitoes. There have been few reports of this disease in dogs and humans in Colombia, a region with favorable climatic conditions for the development of this disease. Therefore, this research aimed to study its current prevalence in dogs and the risk of human exposure to the disease in Bucaramanga, one of the most populated areas in Colombia located at the center of the country. Furthermore, its demographic and environmental characteristics could be useful as a study model for other similar locations and neighboring countries. Method: Serum samples from 351 dogs and 506 humans from the Bucaramanga metropolitan area were analyzed. All dog samples were tested with a commercial immunochromatographic test kit to detect the presence of circulating antigens of D. immitis. Human samples were analyzed using a non-commercial ELISA test kit to detect IgG against the somatic antigens of adult D. immitis and Wolbachia. Positive results were further confirmed using a Western blot analysis. Results: Dirofilaria immitis prevalence was 10.82% (95% CI) in dogs and 5.12% (95% CI) in microfilaremic dogs. Seroprevalence in humans was 6.71% (95% CI) and was significantly higher in individuals aged 16–34 years and in women than in men. Conclusions: This study describes seropositivity to D. immitis for the first time in a Colombian human population located in the same area as that of dogs infected with D. immitis, which represents a potential threat to public health. In humans, age and sex can be considered risk factors for exposure to D. immitis.
Identifying Chagas disease vectors using Elliptic Fourier Descriptors of body contour: A case for the cryptic dimidiata complex
Authors: Flores Daryl David Cruz , Arenas Elizabeth Arellano , Ávila Dennis Denis , Ibarra-Cerdeña Carlos N.
Published: December 2019

Background Triatoma dimidiata (Reduviidae: Triatominae) is an important vector of Chagas disease in various countries in the Americas. Phylogenetic studies have defined three lineages in Mexico and part of Central America, but methods for identifying them using morphometric analyses with landmarks have not yet been resolved. Elliptical Fourier Descriptors (EFDs), which mathematically describe the shape of any closed two-dimensional contour, could be a potentially useful alternative method. The objective of this work was to validate the use of EFDs for the identification of the three lineages of this species complex.Method A total of 84 dorsal view photographs of individuals of the three lineages were used. The body contours were described with EFDs using between 5 and 30 harmonics. The number of obtained coefficients was reduced by a Principal Components Analysis and the first axis scores were used as shape variables. A Canonical Variances Analysis, a linear discriminant function analysis and a multilayer perceptron neural networks were then performed using the shape variables, identifying the minimum number of harmonics sufficient to produce efficiently classifications.Results The first principal component explained 50% of the variability, regardless of the number of harmonics used, but the results of both, Principal Component Analysis and Canonical Variance Analysis get improved by increasing the number of harmonics and components considered. With 25 harmonics and 8 components, the identification of haplogroups was achieved with an overall efficiency greater than 97%. The 30 multilayer perceptron neural networks were also efficient in identification, reaching 91% efficiency with the validation data.Conclusions The use of EFDs is a simple and useful method for the identification of major lineages of Triatoma dimidiata. This method outperform other novel approaches, therefore could serve as an automated identification method.
Genome-wide identification and evolutionary and expression analysis of the wheat amino acid transporter, an important gene family involved in abiotic stresses
Authors: Tian Ruizheng , Yang Yang , Chen Maohua
Published: December 2019

Background: Amino acid transporters (AATs), which transport amino acids across cellular membranes, play important roles in alleviating plant damage under stresses as well as in plant growth and development. Although this family has been systematically studied in many plant species, little is known about the AAT genes in bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) due to its complex genome sequence. Results: In this study, a total of 296 AAT genes were identified from the latest wheat genome sequence (IWGSC v1.1) and classified into twelve distinct subfamilies based upon their sequence composition and phylogenetic relationship. Wheat AAT family members showed significant heterogeneity in chromosome distribution, with relatively high density in specific chromosomal regions. Comparison the number variation of gene copies and transmembrane regions of AAT genes in different sub-genome showed that the functional adaptation of the wheat AAT family during wheat polyploidization was driven mainly by sequence mutations rather than copy number variation. In addition, it was confirmed that changes in gene structure and protein conserved domains played important roles in the functional differentiation of the AAT family. Finally, the expression profiles of these TaAAT genes under heat, drought and salt stress and in the development stage of wheat showed that the expression of TaAATs exhibited abundant and distinct expression patterns under different abiotic stresses or in different tissues, and several important candidate AAT genes that may affect abiotic stress response and grain quality were also identified. Conclusions : In this study, a total of 297 AAT proteins were systematically identified and characterized. Our study highlighted the important roles of gene duplication events in the expansion and functional differentiation of the wheat AAT family. The expression profiles of TaAATs revealed their importance for the grain development of wheat and their response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Our study also provided a theoretical basis for the further functional identification and utilization of the AAT gene family in wheat or other crops.
Association between H-type hypertension and Cognitive impairment in Kailuan community of China: A cross-sectional study.
Authors: Chen Xueyu , Xi Hui , Ji Long , Xing Weijia , Hou Haifeng , Chen Yanru , Wang Xiaohui , Tang Zhaoyang , Lv Jian , Tan Tan , Ding Guoyong , Hou Qingzhi , Li Dong
Published: December 2019

Background Hypertension (HTN) and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) have been reported to be independent predictors of cognitive impairment. However, the conclusions were inconsistent and few studies had reported the combination prediction of HTN and HHcy for cognitive impairment. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between H-type HTN, HTN and HHcy and the risk of cognitive impairment.Methods We used a cross-sectional study- participants aged over 40 years, which were selected from Kailuan communities in China. Cognitive impairment was determined by MMSE scale (MMSE<24). Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association of H-type HTN and cognitive impairment, and we also made stratification analysis by age of participants.Results A total of 3454 participants were included in our study, and ≥65 years old was 16.79%; the gender of male was 56.77%. The prevalence of cognitive impairment in the H-type HTN (HTN+/HHcy+) group (10.74%) was significantly higher than other three groups (2.92%, 6.42%, 5.86%, respectively). The logistic regression results showed that participants with H-type HTN was positively associated with cognitive impairment risk (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.38-4.80). Similar results were observed in participants stratified by age (65 years) (<65 years old: OR =2.01, 95% CI: 0.87- 4.67 ; ≥65 years old: OR=3.63, 95% CI: 1.32-10.01).Conclusion Our finding indicated that H-type HTN was positively associated with the risk of cognitive impairment, especially in ≥ 65 years old. H-type HTN could be the major intervention measures to decrease the incidence of cognitive impairment as well as the stroke in Health Practice Management.
Rapid identification of a candidate gene related to fiber strength using a superior chromosome segment substitution line from Gossypium hirsutum ×Gossypium barbadense via bulked segregant RNA-sequencing
Authors: Zhang Qi , Li Pengtao , Liu Aiying , Lu Quanwei , Gong Juwu , Ge Qun , Li Junwen , Gong Wankui , Shang Haihong , Shi Yuzhen , Yuan Youlu
Published: December 2019

Gossypium is the most widely cultivated commercial crop producing natural fiber around the world, and fiber strength principally determined during the secondary wall thickening period is a critical trait for fiber quality. Based on the developed BC 5 F 3:5 CSSLs (chromosome segment substitution lines) from G. hisutum CCRI36 × G. barbadense Hai1, the superior MBI9915 was chosen to construct the secondary segregated population BC 7 F 2 with its recurrent parent CCRI36, which was subjected to Bulk segregant RNA-sequencing (BSR-seq) for rapid identification of candidate genes related to fiber strength. Four fiber-transcriptome libraries were separately constructed and sequenced, including two parents (CCRI36 and MBI9915) and two extreme pools at 20 DPA (days post anathesis). Through multiple comparisons, 3742 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) and 3252 DEGs were separately identified between two parents and between two extreme pools, while 536 DEGs were overlapped between parent and extreme pool groups. A total of 831high-probability SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) were identified relevant to fiber strength between two extreme pools through allelic-polymorphism comparison in mRNA sequences, and 18 correlated regions with 1981 annotation genes were finally screened by linkage analysis with SNP-index method, of which including only 12 common genes differentially expressed both between two parents and two pools. Interesting, there was one correlated region consistent with the previous study with the same parents on chromosome A07 with 13-14 Mb, and one common DEG ( Gh_A07G0837 ) in the candidate region was identified in both parents and extreme pools, which has been reported to be involved in fiber strength development through regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity. The reliability of BSR-seq results was validated by the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) experiments on 5 DEGs at 20 DPA. This study focuses on bulked segregant analysis of the extreme pools from segregation population developed by superior CSSL and its recurrent parent, indicating that BSR-seq can be efficiently applied on rapid identification for candidate genes related to the significant quantitative traits, which provides valuable contributions for comprehension of fiber strength formation in cotton.
Beta-2 microglobulin a robust reference housekeeping genes for RNA expression normalization in real time PCR on human leukocytes
Authors: MILHEM Clara , INGELAERE Céline , MORALES Olivier , DELHEM Nadira
Published: December 2019

Background: Changes in gene expression are increasingly used to evaluate the effects of exposure to environmental agents. Housekeeping genes (Hk) are essential in these analyzes as internal controls to normalize expression levels assessed in real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Ideal Hk genes (i) are constitutively expressed; (ii) do not respond to external stimuli and (iii) show small or no variation between samples or from one assay to another. Previous studies indicate that some commonly used Hk genes, including glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and beta-actin, have differential expression in various cell lines. The objective of this study is to identify and validate the most appropriate housekeeping genes for RNA expression analysis of human primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to antigen like stimulation. Methods: The expression of the five most commonly used genes for a genomic study of lymphocytes was determined [HPRT, 18S, GAPDH, Ubiquitin C (UBC), beta-2 microglobulin (B2M)] on PBMCs, isolated from fresh blood, following activation with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28. This leads to the activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes in order to modulate the expression of specific genes. Results : Using reverse transcriptase RT-PCR protocol, we show that following activation only B2M remain unchanged in PBMCs. This result has been confirmes In contrast, 18S, HPRT and GAPDH show significant variation in PBMC gene expression. Conclusion: Although our results suggest that the relevance of Hk genes should be determined for each experimental condition, B2M appear to be excellent candidate as internal controls. Keywords : Housekeeping genes, RT-PCR, Human primary PBMC.
The Effect of Lifestyle and Risk Factor Modification on Occlusive Peripheral Arterial Disease Outcomes: Standard Healthcare vs Structured Programme: for a Randomised Controlled Trial Protocol
Authors: Elfghi Marah , Jordan Fionnuala , Dunne Denise , Gibson Irene , Jones Jennifer , Flaherty Gerard , Sultan Sherif , Tawfick Wael
Published: December 2019

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects more than 200 million of the global population. PAD represents a marker for premature cardiovascular events. Patients with PAD, even in the absence of a history of myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke, have approximately the same relative risk of death from cardiovascular causes as patients with a history of coronary or cerebrovascular disease. Despite the high prevalence of PAD and the strong association with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, patients with PAD are less likely to receive appropriate treatment for their atherosclerotic risk factors than those who are being treated for coronary artery disease. Atherosclerotic risk factor identification and modification play an important role in reducing the number of adverse outcomes among patients with atherosclerosis. Risk reduction therapy decreases the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with PAD. In this study we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle and risk factor modification intervention programme in achieving treatment goals for PAD risk factors.Methods: This is a randomised, parallel group, active-control trial to compare the effectiveness of the risk factor modification intervention programme to standard healthcare in a tertiary vascular care centre, in the reduction of modified risk factors in PAD patients. The primary outcome of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle and risk factor modification intervention programme in achieving treatment goals for PAD risk factors at 3 and 12 months. The secondary outcomes are to compare the impact of the programme on clinical outcomes in PAD patients at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include amputation-free survival, clinical improvement, haemodynamic improvement, need for revascularisation procedures, outcomes of revascularisation procedures, changes in quality of life and the incidence of adverse events.Discussion: This study will provide clear evidence on the effectiveness of a lifestyle and risk factor modification intervention programme in achieving treatment goals for PAD risk factors, through a high quality, well-powered clinical trial.
Changes in identification of Her2 status according to 2018 College of American Pathologists/American Society of Clinical Oncology (CAP/ASCO) guideline recommendations for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) testing: A real-world study based on consecutive hospital cohort of patients with Her2 IHC 2+ in China (2007-2017)
Authors: Xu Ying , Wang Changjun , Zhou Yi-Dong , Mao Feng , Lin Yan , Shen Song-jie , Zhang Xiao-hui , Sun Qiang
Published: December 2019

Background: Trastuzumab has been proved to reduce recurrence and death of Her-2 positive early breast cancer patients. However, the definition of Her-2 positive remains controversial and mutable. The recommendations promoted by ASCO/CAP changed frequently during decades. Although information is available regarding Her2 status and trastuzumab use in the western countries, no related research have been conducted in China to explore the Her-2 status and the utilization of HER2-targeted therapies.Methods: We analysed data from 1,227 patients with histologically proven breast cancer operated in PUMCH from June 2007 to July 2017.There were 1,227 patients with histologically proven Her 2 IHC 2+ breast cancer enrolled in our study. The clinicopathological features, recurrence-free survival (RFS), distant recurrence free survival (DRFS), disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared among subgroups. Prognostic factors of RFS, DRFS, DFS and OS were identified.Results: Among groups,there was no significant difference in Tumor histology, pT, pTNM stage, Histological grade, Focality, Lymphovascular invasion (LVI), ER, PR, Her2 and Ki67 high (defined as ≥14%) ，surgery of breast，surgery of axilla，percentage of patients who needed chemotherapy, radiation therapy and endocrine therapy. There were significant difference both in the mean age of diagnosis (P=0.005) and different age groups (P=0.003). There was no significant difference in RFS or OS among five groups and between any two groups. There was no significant difference in DRFS and DFS between Group 1 and Group 2 (P=0.011 and P=0.008). According to univariate analyses and Cox multivariate analyses, RFS prognostic factor included pT, LVI and surgery of axilla, pT, pN and ER status were DRFS factors. DFS prognostic factor included pT, pN and PR status. Age at diagnosis, histological type, pT, pN and ER status were prognostic factors of OS.Conclusions: Our study revealed that, according to ASCO/CAP guideline in 2018, compared to patients with HER2-to-CEP17 ratio＜2.0 and average Her2 copy number ＜4.0/tumor cell, the patients with HER2-to-CEP17 ratio＜2.0 and average Her2 copy number ≥4.0 and ＜6/tumor cell showed worse DFS and DRFS. Changing Her2 status of patients with HER2-to-CEP17 ratio＜2.0 and average Her2 copy number ≥4.0 and ＜6/tumor cell from Her2 equivocal to negative seemed not so reasonable.
Heterologous expression of a novel β-1, 4-glucosidase originated from Aspergillus fresenii and its enzymatic characters
Authors: Yang Yongzhi , Wang Jian , Guo Henan , Cao Yunhe
Published: December 2019

Background: β-1, 4-glucosidases play important roles in the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass. It helps generate glucose from cellobiose and oligosaccharides, which could enhance the productivity in biorefinery and bioconversion process for energy and chemicals. Discovering novel β-1, 4-glucosidases can provide broader possibilities and understanding. The purpose of this study was to find a new β-1, 4-glucosidase in Aspergillus fresenii by an efficient method based on the high throughput sequencing technique. Results: With the high throughput sequencing technique, a novel β-1, 4-glucosidase, named bgl T2, was cloned from Aspergillus fresenii , which was 2586 bp encoding 862 amino acid residues based on the sequencing analysis. Its amino acid sequence shared 91%, 80%, 80%, and 78% identity with the β-glucosidases of Aspergillus steynii IBT 23096 (XP_024702113.1), Aspergillus oryzae (5FJJ_A), Aspergillus aculeatus (P48825.1), and Aspergillus fumigatus A1163 (B0XPE1.1), respectively. The β-glucosidase bgl T2 gene was optimized according to the codon bias of Komagataella phaffii (≡ Pichia pastoris (nom. illeg.)) and synthetized. The optimized bgl T2 gene was inserted into plasmid pPICZαA, and transformed into K.phaffii X33 for its heterologous expression and enzymatic characters determination. The heterologous expressed β-glucosidase bgl T2 presented the highest activity at 55 °C and pH 5.5. When bgl T2 treated in citric acid- disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer (from pH 2.5 to pH 8.0) for one hour, the enzymatic activity was stable for pH 3.0 to pH 8.0 treatment, while the enzymatic activity dropped down to 22% with the pH 2.5 treatment. The thermostability half-life of bgl T2 was 9 min 36 s, 4 min 22 s, 117 s, and 68 s under 50 °C, 55 °C, 60 °C, 65 °C incubation, respectively. The Michaelis constant ( K m ) of bgl T2 was 0.0007 mol/L. The maximum rate of bgl T2 theoretical enzymatic reaction ( V max ) was 9×10 -8 mol/L/s. In a 5 L fermentation vessel, the recombinant K.phaffii X33 could yield a β-1, 4-glucosidase activity of 4.45 U/mL after 96 h methanol inducement. Conclusions: As the important enzyme to release glucose in the hydrolysis processes of cellulose, the novel bgl T2 provide a possibility to apply in bioenergy engineering, food processing, feed industry, and nutritional study, etc. This study also developed a path to obtain new enzymes depending on high throughput sequencing technique.