bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helix B surface peptide reduces sepsis‐induced kidney injury via PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Qu Yan , Sun Qiang , Song Xiaoxia , Jiang Yan , Dong Hai , Zhao Wanjun , Li Cuiping
Published: November 2019

Aim

Helix B‐Surface peptide (HBSP) is the latest discovered erythropoietin (EPO) analogue that can retain the activity of EPO. EPO, which is widely used for treating renal anemia, has recently been proved to have protective effects on ischemia‐reperfusion injury of brain, heart and kidney. The protective effects of EPO and HBSP on cardiac function were found in rats with myocardial ischemia. However, the effect of HBSP on sepsis‐induced renal injury is still unclear.

Methods

Establishment of rat kidney injury model and treated with HBSP and lipoposaccharide. Renal injury in rats was observed by hematoxylin‐eosin staining and injury index score. Levels of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and Cystatin C (Cys C) were detected using fully automatic biochemical analyzer, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and IL‐1β were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the role of HBSP in phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway.

Results

Acute kidney injury (AKI) appeared after modeling, however, HBSP alleviated the pathological conditions of the kidney injury. In addition, HBSP lowered kidney injury index score in the rats, and decreased the levels of SCr, BUN, Cys C, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β, moreover, HBSP also showed the effect of activating PI3K/Akt pathway.

Conclusion

HBSP alleviated lipoposaccharide‐induced AKI and improved kidney function of the rats with sepsis. More importantly, the effects of HBSP on lipoposaccharid‐induced AKI were realized via activating PI3K/Akt pathway. The findings in the current study provide new insights into the therapeutic mechanism for treating the disease.
TET2 promotor methylation and TET2 protein expression in pediatric posterior fossa ependymoma
Authors: Pierscianek Daniela , Teuber‐Hanselmann Sarah , Ahmadipour Yahya , Darkwah Oppong Marvin , Unteroberdörster Meike , Müller Oliver , Jabbarli Ramazan , Sure Ulrich , Zhu Yuan , El Hindy Nicolai
Published: November 2019

Pediatric posterior fossa ependymoma (PF) is one of the most common brain tumors in children. Recently, two subtypes of PF were identified. PF‐A has a dismal prognosis and shows a hypermethylation phenotype, whereas PF‐B shows a great genomic instability. The ten‐eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) gene (TET2) has been linked to the regulation of DNA methylation. We analyzed TET2 promotor methylation and protein expression to assess the role of TET2 in PF. Medical records of all PF cases treated in our institution between 1993 and 2015 were evaluated regarding tumor histology, grade, tumor location, gender, age, tumor recurrence, distant metastasis, survival and time to progression. Subsequently, we analyzed TET2 promotor methylation using methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. TET2 protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Low TET2 expression was detected in seven of 17 cases. There was an association between low TET2 expression and tumor recurrence (P = 0.049). A TET2 promotor methylation was detected in five of 10 cases. There was no association between the TET2 promotor methylation with recurrence, tumor grade or gender. TET2 promotor methylation and low TET2 expression was detected in a subgroup of PF. Our data show an association between low TET2 expression and tumor recurrence in PF.
Peanut residues supply minimal plant‐available nitrogen on a major soil series in the USA peanut basin
Authors: Jani Arun D. , Mulvaney Michael J. , Balkcom Kipling S. , Wood Charles Wesley , Jordan David L. , Wood Brenda H. , Devkota Pratap
Published: November 2019

Field observations have shown that a substantial portion of peanut leaves abscise in windrows during pod curing, leading to an uneven distribution of leaves and stems when intact residues are spread during harvest. Possible differences in nitrogen (N) mineralization rates between peanut leaf and stem residues may lead to spatial and temporal variability in available N during subsequent crops. The objective of this study was to quantify N mineralization in soil amended with different peanut residue components under simulated conventional and conservation tillage practices. A 252‐day microlysimeter incubation was conducted in which peanut leaves, stems and a 1:1 mixture of leaves:stems from three varieties were incorporated or placed on the soil surface to simulate conventional or conservation tillage, respectively. Soils were periodically leached to assess N mineralization compared with a soil‐only control. Nitrogen mineralization was only affected by residue component. Averaged over variety and residue placement, soil amended with leaves mineralized 10% more N relative to the control or soil containing stems. It was estimated that leaves supplied 25 kg N ha−1 over 252 days at 0–15 cm soil depth, which would likely be insufficient to induce a yield response by a subsequent crop. This study suggests that uneven distribution of peanut leaf and stem residues following harvest causes only minor spatial and temporal variability in available N during subsequent crop growth. These results support the growing body of evidence indicating that peanut residue N contributions to subsequent crops are negligible in the peanut basin of the south‐eastern USA.
Return rate in blood donors: A 7‐year follow up
Authors: Kasraian Leila , Hosseini Sahar , Dehbidi Sahar , Ashkani‐Esfahani Soheil
Published: November 2019

Objective

Determining the current return rates of blood donors and their related factors.

Background

Understanding the current pattern of blood donors' return rates and also their motivations will be beneficial when there is a need to implement measures to encourage new blood donors and retain existing ones.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted on 4200 blood donors in Shiraz, Iran, from 26 November 2010 to 26 December 2010. Blood donors' return rate and its related factors were investigated in a 7‐year follow up.

Results

The overall return rates of blood donors indicated a significant yearly decline of 51.2%, 45.1%, 37.6%, 38.8%, 28.7%, 22.7% and 22.1% over a 7‐year follow up. The return rates for first‐time donors declined annually by 30%, 25%, 21%, 18.5%, 15.2%,12.3% and 11.8% (P ≤ .05). Return rates were higher among male, older, low‐educated, Rh‐negative and regular donors. Blood donations for altruistic reasons and religious reasons were higher in regular and older donors (P < .001); donation for positive effects on their health and free access to screening tests and curiosity was higher in first‐time donors and females (P < .001). The most frequent deterrents were lack of time (42.7%), unsuitable condition (37.6%) and difficult access to donation sites (26.2%).

Conclusion

Designing new strategies to retain donors, advertisement, appreciation methods and providing convenient conditions for donation are needed to increase the return rates, particularly in young, highly educated, female and first‐time donors.
The controversial histologic classification of canine subcutaneous whorling tumours: The path to perivascular wall tumours
Authors: Avallone Giancarlo , Stefanello Damiano , Ferrari Roberta , Roccabianca Paola
Published: November 2019

Subcutaneous spindle cell tumours characterized by whorling growth patterns are common in dogs and are identified as a distinct entity. These tumours were misnamed as hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) because of some minor morphological parallels with their human counterparts. In veterinary medicine, the cell of origin of HPC has been under debate for a long time. Some authors have suggested a perivascular origin while others a perineural one. The evidence of the orientation of the neoplastic cells around the vessels and the expression of contractile proteins supported a perivascular origin while S100 expression and an inconsistent vascular connection supported a perineural origin. Despite the morphological similarities with peripheral nerve sheath tumours in humans, the perineural origin was supported mainly by the expression of markers with low specificity. On the contrary, the majority of studies have supported the perivascular origin of ‘old’ canine HPC. Since a variable degree of myoid‐pericytic differentiation was described, the term perivascular wall tumours (PWTs) were suggested to substitute HPC. Once the diagnostic criteria of PWTs were defined, the clinical behaviour and prognostic variables were investigated, demonstrating differences as compared with the group of canine soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) in general. PWTs are less aggressive, mostly locally invasive, and rarely metastasizing. Their behaviour seems to be less influenced by histological grade, suggesting that canine STSs are heterogeneous. The study of the biological behaviour of specific STS tumour types may be valuable in detecting differences which have passed unnoticed when STSs have been studied concomitantly.
Human beta defensins may be a multifactorial modulator in the management of diabetic wound
Authors: Sanapalli Bharat K. R. , Yele Vidyasrilekha , Kalidhindi Rama S. R. , Singh Sachin K. , Gulati Monica , Karri Veera V. S. R.
Published: November 2019

Diabetic wound (DW) is considered as one of the serious complications associated with diabetes mellitus. Though some pharmacological approaches are available for managing DW, none of them has been reported to be very effective. Widely accepted options for its management include treatment of infection caused by various pathogens, wound debridement, reducing the period of the prolonged inflammatory phase, and supervision of the remodeling phase of wound healing. Satisfactory management of DW thus requires exploring new avenues for finding a potential therapeutic strategy. Literature shows that human beta defensins (HBDs) help in combating the insulin resistance by inhibiting the production of glucocorticoids, reducing chronic inflammation by acting through Toll‐like receptor signaling pathway, and provoking cell migration, proliferation, angiogenesis, and stabilization of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, ultimately resulting in wound closure. In the present review, beneficial role of HBDs in the treatment of DW is discussed in detail.
Olfactory ensheathing cells improve the survival of porcine neural xenografts in a Parkinsonian rat model
Authors: Weng Shao‐Ju , Chen Chien‐Fu F. , Huang Yuahn‐Sieh , Chiu Chuang‐Hsin , Wu Shinn‐Chih , Lin Chen‐Ying , Chueh Sheau‐Huei , Cheng Cheng‐Yi , Ma Kuo‐Hsing
Published: November 2019

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) features the motor control deficits resulting from irreversible, progressive degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the nigrostriatal pathway. Although intracerebral transplantation of human fetal ventral mesencephalon (hfVM) has been proven effective at reviving DA function in the PD patients, this treatment is clinically limited by availability of hfVM and the related ethical issues. Homologous tissues to hfVM, such as porcine fetal ventral mesencephalon (pfVM) thus present a strong clinical potential if immune response following xenotransplantation could be tamed. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are glial cells showing immunomodulatory properties. It is unclear but intriuging whether these properties can be applied to reducing immune response following neural xenotransplantation of PD.

Methods

To determine whether OECs may benefit neural xenografts for PD, different compositions of grafting cells were transplanted into striatum of the PD model rats. We used apomorphine‐induced rotational behavior to evaluate effectiveness of the neural grafts on reviving DA function. Immunohistochemistry was applied to investigate the effect of OECs on the survival of neuroxenografts and underlying mechanisms of this effect.

Results

Four weeks following the xenotransplantation, we found that the PD rats receiving pfVM + OECs co‐graft exhibited a better improvement in apomorphine‐induced rotational behavior compared with those receiving only pfVM cells. This result can be explained by higher survival of DA neurons (tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity) in grafted striatum of pfVM + OECs group. Furthermore, pfVM + OECs group has less immune response (CD3+ T cells and OX‐6+ microglia) around the grafted area compared with pfVM only group. These results suggest that OECs may enhance the survival of the striatal xenografts via dampening the immune response at the grafted sites.

Conclusions

Using allogeneic OECs as a co‐graft material for xenogeneic neural grafts could be a feasible therapeutic strategy to enhance results and applicability of the cell replacement therapy for PD.
Hierarchical assembly governs TRIM5α recognition of HIV-1 and retroviral capsids
Authors: Skorupka Katarzyna A. , Roganowicz Marcin D. , Christensen Devin E. , Wan Yueping , Pornillos Owen , Ganser-Pornillos Barbie K.
Published: November 2019

TRIM5α combines distinct modes of binding into successively higher-order structures to recognize HIV-1 and retroviral capsids.
Anchorene is a carotenoid-derived regulatory metabolite required for anchor root formation in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Jia Kun-Peng , Dickinson Alexandra J. , Mi Jianing , Cui Guoxin , Xiao Ting Ting , Kharbatia Najeh M. , Guo Xiujie , Sugiono Erli , Aranda Manuel , Blilou Ikram , Rueping Magnus , Benfey Philip N. , Al-Babili Salim
Published: November 2019

Arabidopsis
is anchored by a carotenoid-derived metabolite.
Escaping the perfect storm of simultaneous climate change impacts on agriculture and marine fisheries
Authors: Thiault Lauric , Mora Camilo , Cinner Joshua E. , Cheung William W. L. , Graham Nicholas A. J. , Januchowski-Hartley Fraser A. , Mouillot David , Sumaila U. Rashid , Claudet Joachim
Published: November 2019

Climate mitigation can markedly brighten the future of the world’s food production systems.
Durable multitransgene expression in vivo using systemic, nonviral DNA delivery
Authors: Handumrongkul Chakkrapong , Ye Alice L. , Chmura Stephen A. , Soroceanu Liliana , Mack Marissa , Ice Ryan J. , Thistle Robert , Myers Methawee , Ursu Sarah J. , Liu Yong , Kashani-Sabet Mohammed , Heath Timothy D. , Liggitt Denny , Lewis David B. , Debs Robert
Published: November 2019

HEDGES, a tunable nonviral DNA-based gene therapy platform, durably expresses human therapeutic proteins in immunocompetent mice.
In vivo–mimicking microfluidic perfusion culture of pancreatic islet spheroids
Authors: Jun Yesl , Lee JaeSeo , Choi Seongkyun , Yang Ji Hun , Sander Maike , Chung Seok , Lee Sang-Hoon
Published: November 2019

Microenvironmental control of interstitial flow around pancreatic islets effectively maintains islet function in vitro.
Why Molière most likely did write his plays
Authors: Cafiero Florian , Camps Jean-Baptiste
Published: November 2019

Quantitative linguistics contradicts the much publicized theory naming Corneille as the author of Molière’s masterpieces.
Nanoscale coupling of endocytic pit growth and stability
Authors: Lehmann Martin , Lukonin Ilya , Noé Frank , Schmoranzer Jan , Clementi Cecilia , Loerke Dinah , Haucke Volker
Published: November 2019

The lifetime and stability of nanoscale endocytic structures are shown to be coupled to their growth by an endocytic protein.
Crustal seismic velocity responds to a magmatic intrusion and seasonal loading in Iceland’s Northern Volcanic Zone
Authors: Donaldson C. , Winder T. , Caudron C. , White R. S.
Published: November 2019

Seismic velocity of the shallow crust changes after an intrusion of magma and seasonally due to environmental effects in Iceland.
The release of surface-anchored α-tectorin, an apical extracellular matrix protein, mediates tectorial membrane organization
Authors: Kim Dong-Kyu , Kim Ju Ang , Park Joosang , Niazi Ava , Almishaal Ali , Park Sungjin
Published: November 2019

Surface expression and release of α-tectorin are required for the organization of collagen bundles of the tectorial membrane.
A conserved ATP- and Scc2/4-dependent activity for cohesin in tethering DNA molecules
Authors: Gutierrez-Escribano Pilar , Newton Matthew D. , Llauró Aida , Huber Jonas , Tanasie Loredana , Davy Joseph , Aly Isabel , Aramayo Ricardo , Montoya Alex , Kramer Holger , Stigler Johannes , Rueda David S. , Aragon Luis
Published: November 2019

Reconstitution of ATP-dependent cohesion by purified yeast and human cohesin complexes shows distinct types of cohesin bridges.
Antarctic environmental change and biological responses
Authors: Convey Peter , Peck Lloyd S.
Published: November 2019

Climate change threatens Antarctica.
Climate change threatens New Guinea’s biocultural heritage
Authors: Cámara-Leret R. , Raes N. , Roehrdanz P. , De Fretes Y. , Heatubun C. D. , Roeble L. , Schuiteman A. , van Welzen P. C. , Hannah L.
Published: November 2019

Climate-smart strategic expansion of protected area networks is essential to protect and reinforce biocultural traditions.
Climate change effects on plant-soil feedbacks and consequences for biodiversity and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Pugnaire Francisco I. , Morillo José A. , Peñuelas Josep , Reich Peter B. , Bardgett Richard D. , Gaxiola Aurora , Wardle David A. , van der Putten Wim H.
Published: November 2019

By affecting plant-soil feedbacks, climate change will alter plant distribution and performance and overall ecosystem functioning.
Overexpression of T-bet in HIV infection is associated with accumulation of B cells outside germinal centers and poor affinity maturation
Authors: Austin James W. , Buckner Clarisa M. , Kardava Lela , Wang Wei , Zhang Xiaozhen , Melson Valerie A. , Swanson Ryan G. , Martins Andrew J. , Zhou Julian Q. , Hoehn Kenneth B. , Fisk J. Nicholas , Dimopoulos Yiannis , Chassiakos Alexander , O’Dell Sijy , Smelkinson Margery G. , Seamon Catherine A. , Kwan Richard W. , Sneller Michael C. , Pittaluga Stefania , Doria-Rose Nicole A. , McDermott Adrian , Li Yuxing , Chun Tae-Wook , Kleinstein Steven H. , Tsang John S. , Petrovas Constantinos , Moir Susan
Published: November 2019

During viremia, the HIV-specific memory response in lymph nodes is mediated by T-bet
hi
B cells that inefficiently participate in affinity selection.
Regulation of OmpA Translation and Shigella dysenteriae Virulence by an RNA Thermometer
Authors: Murphy Erin R. , Roßmanith Johanna , Sieg Jacob , Fris Megan E. , Hussein Hebaallaha , Kouse Andrew B. , Gross Kevin , Zeng Chunxi , Hines Jennifer V. , Narberhaus Franz , Coschigano Peter W.
Published: November 2019

RNA thermometers are
cis
-acting riboregulators that mediate the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in response to environmental temperature. Such regulation is conferred by temperature-responsive structural changes within the RNA thermometer that directly result in differential ribosomal binding to the regulated transcript. The significance of RNA thermometers in controlling bacterial physiology and pathogenesis is becoming increasingly clear.
A mimic of breast carcinoma 1-year post vacuum-assisted excision of a benign breast lesion
Authors: Murphy Mark Conal , Quinn Cecily M , Prichard Ruth S , Pender Susan , McNally Sorcha
Published: November 2019

A 64-year-old woman underwent vacuum-assisted excision (VAE) for a biopsy-proven radial scar in the right breast detected during screening mammography. A follow-up mammogram was performed at 1 year following multidisciplinary team discussion. This demonstrated a 1 cm mass adjacent to the biopsy clip at the site of the prior VAE. A repeat biopsy of the mass was performed which revealed benign scar tissue. This is the first reported case of post-VAE scar tissue mimicking breast carcinoma on mammography.
A case of thrombotic microangiopathy of unknown aetiology, clinically presenting as an acute surgical abdomen
Authors: Stratford Lydia Madeleine Isabel , Nahoor Isaac , Dos Santos Kataryna , Dos Santos Antonio Alves
Published: November 2019

A 48-year-old woman presented with severe abdominal pain, bilious vomiting and bloody diarrhoea for 1 day. On examination, she was haemodynamically unstable, febrile and clinically had an acute surgical abdomen. She had markedly raised inflammatory markers, neutrophils and deranged renal function. A CT abdominal scan revealed severe colitis and thickening throughout the length of the colon. The patient was stabilised and underwent emergency laparotomy resulting in total colectomy and end ileostomy formation. Postoperatively, she required several units of human albumin solution, red blood cell transfusions and octaplex (prothrombin complex) to prevent further bleeding. An inpatient haematology review revealed a hypocomplementaemia (C3/C4), low immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA) and peripheral blood films revealed schistocytosis indicating microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. Bowel histology supported this, demonstrating circumferential lymphocytic phlebitis with thrombi and mucosal haemorrhage, necrosis and ulceration. The patient went on to suffer multiple ischaemic strokes before undergoing plasmapheresis, subsequent rehabilitation and making a successful recovery.
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with a possible paraneoplastic association with melanoma
Authors: Hirner Jesse
Published: November 2019

A 52-year-old man was referred to our dermatology clinic for a diagnosis of melanoma. At the time, his melanoma was excised he developed an annular, polycyclic, scaling eruption consistent with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). Skin biopsy and laboratory evaluation confirmed this diagnosis. The patient had been using pantoprazole for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease for the last 3 years. The patient’s melanoma was treated surgically, and his SCLE was treated with topical steroids and hydroxychloroquine. His SCLE cleared rapidly, his steroids and hydroxychloroquine were stopped and he remains free of SCLE off of treatment. The parallel course of the patient’s SCLE and melanoma prompted consideration of SCLE as paraneoplastic to melanoma in this case. The clinical picture was complicated by the patient’s use of a proton pump inhibitor, which are common causes of drug-induced SCLE. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of possible paraneoplastic SCLE associated with melanoma.
Oesophageal pressure-guided management of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in a patient with intractable intracranial hypertension
Authors: Theodore Danny , Mahanes Dea , Leite Michael
Published: November 2019

We present a case of a young boy who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) complicated by intractable intracranial hypertension and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with hypercapnia. The coexisting pulmonary pathology significantly impacted intracranial pressure management. Oesophageal pressure manometry was used to guide ventilator and airway pressure management, allowing the team to optimise ARDS care while mitigating the risk of elevated intracranial pressure. While the literature describing the use of oesophageal pressure-guided ARDS management continues to evolve, there are no reported cases demonstrating use in patients with ARDS and intractable intracranial hypertension due to TBI.
Impaired consciousness, hypokalaemia and renal tubular acidosis in sustained Nurofen Plus abuse
Authors: Li Rebecca , Hasan Neda , Armstrong Luke , Cockings Jerome
Published: November 2019

Ibuprofen-induced renal tubular acidosis is a rare but important diagnosis which should be considered in patients presenting with hypokalaemia and metabolic acidosis. This case report details the case of a 33-year-old woman presenting with reduced conscious state, metabolic acidosis and profound hypokalaemia without an obvious cause. With correction of the patient’s electrolyte and acid-base disturbance, her conscious state improved allowing disclosure of her use of Nurofen Plus for its euphoric opiate effects. The diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis had been considered and subsequent disclosure of excessive chronic ingestion of ibuprofen suggested this to be the underlying cause. The striking feature of our patient was the insidious development of the problem and delayed accurate drug history. An important safety message arising from our case is the composite risk of dependence on the opiate component of over the counter analgesics, such as Nurofen Plus, and adverse events related to the ibuprofen component.
Xanthogranulomatous prostatitis mimicking prostatic adenocarcinoma: a diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Sureka Sanjoy Kumar , Ruidas Surojit , Lal Hira
Published: November 2019

We report a case of xanthogranulomatous prostatitis confirmed on histological examination of resected prostate which was initially suspected to be carcinoma on clinical, biochemical and radiological evaluation and also misdiagnosed as high-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma on core biopsy specimen.
Functional magnetic resonance angiography in the diagnosis of iliac artery endofibrosis in an endurance runner
Authors: Cai Tommy Ye , Rajendran Saissan , Robinson David
Published: November 2019

A 45-year-old woman was presented with a 2-year history of left lower limb claudication symptoms occurring only during long-distance running. Multimodal imaging with exercise duplex ultrasonography and magnetic resonance angiogram confirmed the presence of flow-limiting stenoses in the left external iliac artery consistent with a diagnosis of left external iliac artery endofibrosis. She successfully underwent a left external iliac endarterectomy with vein patch repair and returned to full physical activity soon after. A year following full recovery from her original operation, she presented with similar symptoms on the right side and was managed in a similar manner. This report illustrates an unusual case of bilateral iliac artery endofibrosis occurring in an older endurance runner. We also present a novel diagnostic modality of pre-exercise and postexercise magnetic resonance angiography for iliac endofibrosis.
High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and insulin resistance 6 years after hyperglycemia first detected in pregnancy in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Chivese Tawanda , Norris Shane A , Levitt Naomi S
Published: November 2019

Objective

To investigate the prevalence and associated cardiovascular risk factors 6 years after hyperglycemia first detected in pregnancy (HFDP) in Cape Town, South Africa.

Research design and methods

Data were collected during the index pregnancy from all women diagnosed with HFDP at a major referral hospital in Cape Town. Participants were evaluated 6 years later using a cross-sectional study. At follow-up participants had a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, fasting lipogram, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements, and a fieldworker administered the questionnaire. We used the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and individual risk factors. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostatic model of insulin resistance.

Results

At follow-up 220 women were reviewed. Their mean age at follow-up was 37.2 (SD 6.0) years. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors was 60.9% (95% CI 54.3 to 67.2) for metabolic syndrome, 75% (95% CI 65.9 to 82.3) for insulin resistance, 62.3% (95% CI 55.6 to 68.5) for dysglycemia, 41.4% (95% CI 35.0 to 48.0) for raised blood pressure, and 74.6% (95% CI 683 to 79.9) for dyslipidemia. Women with diabetes in pregnancy compared with those with gestational diabetes during the index pregnancy had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (74.3% vs 54.7%, p=0.010) and dysglycemia (88.6% vs 50.0%, p<0.001) at follow-up. Lower school education attainment, having a subsequent pregnancy, waist circumference at follow-up, and fasting blood glucose at HFDP diagnosis were associated with metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion

We found a high prevalence of CVD risk factors in South African women within 6 years of HFDP, which highlights the need to develop and evaluate interventions optimizing the cardiometabolic health of this vulnerable group. The main limitations of our research are the lack of a comparative group of women without HFDP and that we did not assess for CVD risk factors before HFDP.
Association between socioeconomic position and occupational health service utilisation trajectories among young municipal employees in Finland
Authors: Sumanen Hilla , Harkko Jaakko , Piha Kustaa , Pietilainen Olli , Rahkonen Ossi , Kouvonen Anne
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To identify groups of municipal employees between the ages of 20 and 34 years with distinct utilisation trajectories of primary care services provided by occupational health service (OHS), measured as the annual number of OHS visits, and to identify demographic and socioeconomic risk factors that distinguish employees in the high utilisation trajectory group(s).

Methods

The present study is a retrospective register-based cohort study. All municipal employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, aged 20–34 in the Helsinki Health Study, recruited from 2004 to 2013, with follow-up data for 4 years were included in the study (n=9762). The outcome measure was group-based trajectories of OHS utilisation, identified with a group-based trajectory analysis. The demographic and socioeconomic variables used to predict the outcome were age, first language, educational level and occupational class. The analyses were stratified by gender.

Results

A large proportion of the young employees do not use OHS. Trajectory groups of ‘No visits’ (50%), ‘Low/increasing’ (18%), ‘Low/decreasing’ (22%) and ‘High/recurrent’ (10%) use were identified. We found occupational class differences in OHS utilisation patterns showing that lower occupational classes had a higher propensity for ‘High/recurrent’ OHS utilisation for both genders.

Conclusions

Preventive measures should be targeted particularly to the trajectory groups of ‘Low/increasing’ and ‘High/recurrent’ in order to intervene early. In addition, OHS utilisation should be closely monitored among the two lowest occupational classes. More research with longitudinal OHS data is needed.
Efficacy of electroacupuncture for the treatment of constipation in Parkinson’s disease: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Li Kunshan , Wang Zhaoqin , Chen Yiyi , Shen Lirong , Li Zhongqiu , Wu Yiwen , Yuan Canxing , Huang Yan , Wu Luyi , Bao Chunhui , Zhang Wei , Xu Shifen , Wu Huangan
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Constipation is one of the most common non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Acupuncture can have a positive on chronic functional constipation and PD, but its efficacy for the treatment of constipation in PD has not yet been confirmed by high-quality clinical trials. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of constipation in PD.

Methods and analysis

This study is a multicentre randomised controlled trial. A total of 124 qualified patients with PD and constipation will be randomly divided into the intervention group (62 participants will receive 12 weeks of EA +usual care) or the waitlist control group (62 participants will receive 12 weeks of usual care). EA will be performed three times per week from weeks 1–8, two times per week during weeks 9 and 10, and once a week during weeks 11 and 12. The primary outcome is the change in mean weekly spontaneous bowel movements from baseline to weeks 8 and 9. The secondary outcomes are the changes from baseline in mean weekly bowel movements, mean weekly stool consistency, and mean weekly straining. Other secondary outcomes include the weekly doses of defecation drugs, Visual Analogue Scale for subjective improvements in stool symptoms, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, and the time and number of steps required to walk 20 m. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 4, 8, 12 (intervention period); as well as at week 16, 24 (follow-up period).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from four local ethics committees. The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and will be disseminated through national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1900021053
Experiences of psychotropic medication use and decision-making for adults with intellectual disability: a multistakeholder qualitative study in the UK
Authors: Sheehan Rory , Hassiotis Angela , Strydom André , Morant Nicola
Published: November 2019

Objectives

Understanding patient and carer perspectives is essential to improving the quality of medication prescribing. This study aimed to explore experiences of psychotropic medication use among people with intellectual disability (ID) and their carers, with a focus on how medication decisions are made.

Design

Thematic analysis of data collected in individual semistructured interviews.

Participants and setting

Fourteen adults with ID, 12 family carers and 12 paid carers were recruited from specialist psychiatry services, community groups, care providers and training organisations in the UK.

Results

People with ID reported being highly compliant with psychotropic medication, based on a largely unquestioned view of medication as important and necessary, and belief in the authority of the psychiatrist. Though they sometimes experienced medication negatively, they were generally not aware of their right to be involved in medication decisions. Paid and family carers reported undertaking a number of medication-related activities. Their ‘front-line’ status and longevity of relationships meant that carers felt they possessed important forms of knowledge relevant to medication decisions. Both groups of carers valued decision-making in which they felt they had a voice and a genuine role. While some in each group described making joint decisions about medication with psychiatrists, lack of involvement was often described. This took three forms in participants’ accounts: being uninformed of important facts, insufficiently included in discussions and lacking influence to shape decisions. Participants described efforts to democratise the decision-making process by gathering information, acting to disrupt perceived power asymmetries and attempting to prove their credibility as valid decision-making partners.

Conclusions

Stakeholder involvement is a key element of medication optimisation that is not always experienced in decisions about psychotropic medication for people with ID. Forms of shared decision-making could be developed to promote collaboration and offer people with ID and their carers greater involvement in medication decisions.
Improving the quality of assessment and management of nasal trauma in a major trauma centre (MTC): Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
Authors: Khajuria Apoorva , Osborne Max Sallis , McClleland Lisha , Ghosh Sandip
Published: November 2019

Background

Nasal fractures present in 39% of patients with facial trauma. These patients are assessed in the emergency department followed by outpatient review in the senior house officer-led emergency ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinic. Inadequate treatment of nasal trauma can result in debilitating functional and aesthetic problems. Inexperienced junior doctors may be apprehensive in assessing nasal trauma resulting in time pressured clinics and suboptimal management.

Measures

A retrospective review of clinical noting over 3 months was carried out to gauge the extent of the problem. Three baseline measurements for satisfactory quality of assessments included: (1) 3/5 key symptoms elicited by the clinician (epistaxis, rhinorrhoea, nasal airway obstruction, dental malocclusion and diplopia). (2) Presence/absence of ‘septal haematoma’ (SH) and ‘deviated nasal septum’ (DNS) documented. (3) Patient follow-up within 2 weeks after the initial injury. Three Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were conducted with implementation of interventions (proforma, clinic poster, patient information leaflet and training) as visualised in our ‘driver diagram’.

Results

The quality of nasal trauma assessments improved following each intervention. There was an increase from 86% to 100% patients being seen within 2 weeks of the injury. There was an improvement in quality of assessments following the teaching as two-thirds (PDSA cycle 2) followed by 100% (PDSA cycle 3) of clinical documentation included ‘rhinorrhoea’ and 83% (PDSA cycle 2) to 100% (PDSA cycle 3) included ‘nasal airway obstruction’. Similarly, two thirds (PDSA cycle 2) followed by 100% (PDSA cycle 3) examined and documented the presence/absence of SH and DNS. A 100% improvement in trainee confidence was reported. We are now conducting more comprehensive assessments of nasal trauma patients.

Conclusion

The need to provide relevant training and support to ENT junior doctors is crucial in their development, as well as to ensure delivery of high-quality patient-centred care.
Coeliac disease presenting with chorea
Authors: Lefter Stela , Corcoran Luke , McAuliffe Eimear , Khan Rahim , Burke Louise , Regan Michael , Hadjivassiliou Marios
Published: November 2019

Chorea can be genetic or acquired, and often leads to a challenging diagnostic conundrum. In a significant proportion, there is no specific identifiable cause. Chorea is a rare but potentially reversible neurological manifestation of coeliac disease, usually presenting insidiously and often presumed to be associated with typical gastrointestinal symptoms. We report a patient with rapidly progressive generalised chorea, but without preceding gastrointestinal symptoms, who was subsequently diagnosed with coeliac disease. A gluten-free diet resulted in complete resolution of the chorea.
Development of a multi-modal overlay tester for the evaluation of asphalt overlay cracking behaviors
Authors: Jabonero Christopher , Park Jin-Whoy , Ryu SungWoo , Lin Wuguang , Cho Yoon-ho
Published: November 2019

Reflection cracking is a critical issue in asphalt overlay pavement. Temperature variation and traffic loading are the main fracture modes acting on the material. In this paper, a multi-modal overlay tester is proposed for the evaluation of the reflection cracking resistance of an asphalt mixture, an approach that simulates three loading modes on asphalt specimens. A fine dense-grade hot mix asphalt is used as the test specimen and subjected to different loading conditions such as single Mode I, II, and III loading simulations and combined I+II and I+II+III loading simulations. Results show coefficients of variation (CVs) of 2.5%, 10.3%, and 7.4% for the Mode I, II, and III loading simulations, respectively. Furthermore, the β coefficient, with a CV of 7%, is used to represent the crack resistance of the asphalt mixture. Finally, the crack propagation occurs rapidly when subjected to tension and lateral displacement prior to repeated traffic loading simulations.
Homology modeling of mouse NLRP3 NACHT protein domain and molecular dynamics simulation of its ATP binding properties
Authors: Lai Hien T. T. , Ha Do Minh , Nguyen Duc Manh , Nguyen Toan T.
Published: November 2019

Gout is an extremely painful form of inflammatory arthritis, caused by the formation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints. MSU crystals are one of the triggers for the activation of nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome (NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein), which in turn induces caspase-1 activation and a nonspecific immune responses that cause inflammation. Further structural studies and ligand designs are needed to block the interaction of NLRP3 with MSU or allow the interaction without activating caspase-1. This would facilitate the screening of new drugs for the treatment of gout. Using computational methods for homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, the structural model of mouse NLRP3 protein with its domains, three potential structural models were consistently constructed and tested to find the most stable structural model. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — an activator of NACHT (the central domain of mouse NLRP3 protein) — was docked and simulated. Ligand effects to activate as well as limit this protein were analyzed. This study provides insights to deeper understanding about gout development pathway via the NLRP3 protein.
HPS_PSP: HIGH PERFORMANCE SYSTEM FOR PROTEIN STRUCTURE PREDICTION
Authors: ABDELHALIM MOHAMED B. , MABROUK MAI S. , SAYED AHMED Y.
Published: November 2019

Prediction of least energy conformation of a protein from its primary structure (chain of amino acids) is an optimization problem associated with a large complex energy landscape. In this study, a simple 2D hydrophobic–hydrophilic model was used to model the protein sequence, which allows the fast and efficient design of genetic algorithm-based protein structure prediction approach. The neighborhood search strategy is integrated into the genetic operator. The neighborhood search guides the genetic operator to regions in the computational space with good solutions. To prevent convergence to local optima, the proposed method employs crowding-based parent replacement strategy, which improves the performance of the algorithm and the ability to deal with multiple numbers of solutions. The proposed algorithm was tested with a standard benchmark of HP sequences and comparative results demonstrate that the proposed system beats most of the evolutionary algorithms for seven sequences. It finds the best energy for a sequence of length [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Conjugacy problem in groups with quadratic Dehn function
Authors: Olshanskii A. Yu. , Sapir M. V.
Published: November 2019

We construct a finitely presented group with quadratic Dehn function and undecidable conjugacy problem. This solves Rips’ problem formulated in 1994.
Photodynamic therapy of brain tumors and novel optical coherence tomography strategies for in vivo monitoring of cerebral fluid dynamics
Authors: Abdurashitov A. , Tuchin V. , Semyachkina-Glushkovskaya O.
Published: November 2019

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising tool for least-invasive alternative methods for the treatment of brain tumors. The newly discovered PDT-induced opening of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability open novel strategies for drug-brain delivery during post-surgical treatment of glioblastoma GBM. Here we discuss mechanisms of PDT-mediated opening of the BBB and age differences in PDT-related increase in BBB permeability, including with formation of brain edema. The meningeal lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the mechanism of brain drainage and clearance from metabolites and toxic molecules. We discuss that noninvasive photonic stimulation of fluid clearance via meningeal lymphatic vessels, and application of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for bed-side monitoring of meningeal lymphatic drainage has the promising perspective to be widely applied in both experimental and clinical studies of PDT and improving guidelines of PDT of brain tumors.
Combination with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Offers a Promising Strategy to Overcome Resistance to Immunotherapy in Advanced Renal Cell Cancer
Authors: Sun Xiaowen , Gan Lu , Na Aru , Ge Lingling , Chen Baoqing , Liu Jiaming
Published: November 2019

Immunotherapy for renal cell cancer (RCC) has witnessed several developments for more than two decades. Checkpoint inhibitors, including anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 blockers, have changed the treatment landscape for patients with advanced RCC in the past 3 years. Despite these advances, more than 55% RCC patients become resistant to different immunotherapies without other treatment combination. Among various attempts at overcoming resistance to immunotherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been found to potentiate the activity of immunotherapy agents through several potential mechanisms, including normalization of microvessels to alleviate tumor hypoxia, improvement in efficient delivery of drugs, abundant neoantigen exposure, and recruitment of antitumor immune cells to alter the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Preclinical studies and clinical case reports have predicted that the combination of SBRT, an immunotherapy, may lead to remarkable results. This review aims to provide the biological basis for the feasibility of combining SBRT to overcome immunotherapy resistance and to review the currently available clinical evidence of this combination therapy in patients with advanced RCC.
A Pharmacokinetic Interaction Study of Sorafenib and Iced Teas in Rats Using UPLC-MS/MS: An Illustration of Beverage-Drug Interaction
Authors: Maher Hadir M. , Almomen Aliyah , Alzoman Nourah Z. , Shehata Shereen M. , Al-Subaie Amal
Published: November 2019

Iced teas (ITs), also known as ready-to-drink teas, have gained much popularity among many nations. The modulatory effect of tea beverages on CYP3A4 increases the possibility of their potential interactions with many coadministered medications. Being a substrate of CYP3A4, sorafenib (SOR), the first-line therapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, shows a great probability to exhibit pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction with ITs. For this purpose, different groups of Wistar rats were given oral doses of SOR (40 mg/kg), along with different types of ITs. The concentration of SOR in rat plasma was determined using UPLC-MS/MS. Chromatographic analysis was performed on a C18 analytical column, Acquity UPLC BEH™ (100 × 1.0 mm, i.d., 1.7 μm particle size), using erlotinib (ERL) as an internal standard. Isocratic elution was performed with a mobile phase consisting of two solvents: solvent A (water with 0.1% formic acid) and solvent B (acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid), in a ratio of 30 : 70, v/v, respectively. Quantitation was performed using MRM of the transitions from protonated precursor ions [M+H]+ to product ions at m/z 465.12 > 252.02 (SOR) and m/z 394.29 > 278.19 (ERL). The method was fully validated as per the FDA guidance for bioanalytical method validation in the concentration range of 2.5–500 ng/mL. Different PK parameters were calculated for SOR in all rat groups and groups administered with ITs and SOR, compared with groups with simply water and SOR. Experimental data revealed that ITs caused a general reduction in SOR bioavailability; an approximate reduction of 30% was recorded for all types of tested ITs. These data indicate that ITs could affect the PK profile of SOR in rats.