bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgery improves the prognosis of colon mucinous adenocarcinoma with liver metastases: A SEER-Based Study
Authors: Huang Jia , Chen Guodong , Liu Huan , Zhang Yiwei , Tang Rong , Huang Qiulin , Fu Kai , Peng Xiuda , Xiao Shuai
Published: August 2020

Background: Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MC) is the second most common pathological type of colon carcinoma (CC). Colon cancer liver metastases (CLMs) are common and lethal, and complete resection of the primary tumour and metastases for CLM patients would be beneficial. However, there is still no consensus on the role of surgery for MC with liver metastases (M-CLM). Methods: Patients diagnosed with M-CLM or classical adenocarcinoma with CLM (A-CLM) from 2010 to 2013 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were retrieved. The clinicopathological features and overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) data were compared and analysed.Results: The results showed that the M-CLM group had a larger tumour size, more right colon localizations, higher pT and pN stages, more female patients, and more retrieved and positive lymph nodes and accounted for a higher proportion of surgeries than the A-CLM group. The OS and CSS of M-CLM patients who underwent any type of surgery were significantly better than those of patients who did not undergo any surgery, but poorer than those of A-CLM patients who underwent surgery. Meanwhile, the OS and CSS of M-CLM and A-CLM patients who did not undergo any surgery were comparable. Compared with hemicolectomy, partial colectomy led to similar or better OS and CSS for M-CLM, and surgery was an independent protective factor for long-term survival in M-CLM.Conclusions: M-CLM had distinct clinicopathological characteristics from A-CLM, and surgery could improve the long-term survival and is an independent favourable prognostic factor for M-CLM. In addition, partial colectomy might be a better choice than hemicolectomy for M-CLM according to the results from this study.
Medial Versus Conventional Approach for Prevention of Lateral Cutaneous Nerve Injury in Total hip Arthroplasty with Direct Anterior Approach: A Study for Dual-center, Single-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tanabe Hiroki , Baba Tomonori , Ozaki Yu , Yanagisawa Naotake , Bannno Sammy , Watari Taiji , Homma Yasuhiro , Kaneko Kazuo
Published: August 2020

Background; Lateral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) injury is one of the complication specific to total hip arthroplasty via the direct anterior approach. Recent anatomical studies have revealed that the LFCN not only courses between the sartorius and tensor fasciae latae muscles, but it also branches radially while distributing in the transverse direction from the sartorius muscle to the tensor fasciae latae muscle. The latter is called the fan type, in which injury of the LFCN is almost unavoidable using the conventional site for incision of the fascia. In order to reduce LFCN injury in the fan type, we devised a new approach of incising the fascia at a side 2 cm medial from the conventional site of incision. The purpose of this study is to examine how the site of incision of the fascia influences LFCN injury.Methods; This is a prospective, randomized, controlled study. All patients are divided into the fan type and non-fan type using ultrasonography before surgery. Patients with the fan type LFCN will be performed by the conventional approach and the medial approach in the order specified in the allocation table created in advance by our clinical trial center. The conventional approach involves incision of the skin, followed by incision of the fascia just below the site of skin incision. The medial approach proceeds medially from the site of skin incision, and involves incision of the fascia at a site 2 cm medial from the conventional site of incision. The primary endpoint is the presence of LFCN injury. The secondary endpoints will be assessed based on PROs at 3 months after surgery in an outpatient setting using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip-Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ), and the Forgotten-Joint Score-12 (FJS-12).Discussion; We hypothesize that the fan type LFCN can be protected from injury by incising the fascia at a more medial site than conventional site. If the usefulness of this surgical procedure is confirmed, the disadvantages of the DAA will be eliminated, potentially being highly beneficial to patients.Trial registration; UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000035944.Registered on 20 Feburary 2019.
Predictors of Outpatients’ No-Show: Big Data Analytics using Apache Spark
Authors: Daghistani Tahani , AlGhamdi Huda , Alshammari Riyad , AlHazme Raed H.
Published: August 2020

Outpatients who fail to attend their appointments have a negative impact on the healthcare outcome. Thus, healthcare organizations facing new opportunities, one of them is to improve the quality of healthcare. The main challenges is predictive analysis using techniques capable of handle the huge data generated. We propose a big data framework for identifying subject outpatients’ no-show via feature engineering and machine learning (MLlib) in the Spark platform. This study evaluates the performance of five machine learning techniques, using the (2,011,813, 19) outpatients’ visits data. Conducting several experiments and using different validation methods, the Gradient Boosting (GB) performed best, resulting in an increase of accuracy and ROC to 79% and 81%, respectively. In addition, we showed that exploring and evaluating the performance of the machine learning models using various evaluation methods is critical as the accuracy of prediction can significantly differ. The aim of this paper is exploring factors that affect no-show rate and can be used to formulate predictions using big data machine learning techniques
N-glycolyl chondroitin synthesis using metabolically engineered E. coli
Authors: Awofiranye Adeola E. , Baytas Sultan N. , Xia Ke , Badri Abinaya , He Wenqin , Varki Ajit , Koffas Mattheos , Linhardt Robert J
Published: August 2020

N-glycolyl chondroitin (Gc-CN) is a metabolite of N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), a sialic acid that is commonly found in mammals, but not humans. Humans can incorporate exogenous Neu5Gc into their tissues from eating red meat. Neu5Gc cannot be biosynthesized by humans due to an evolutionary mutation and has been implicated in causing inflammation causing human diseases, such as cancer. The study Neu5Gc is important in evolutionary biology and the development of potential cancer biomarkers. Unfortunately, there are several limitations to detecting Neu5Gc. The elimination of Neu5Gc involves a degradative pathway leading to the incorporation of N-glycolyl groups into glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as Gc-CN. Gc-CN has been found in humans and in animals including mice, lamb and chimpanzees. Here, we present the biosynthesis of Gc-CN in bacteria by feeding chemically synthesized N-glycolylglucosamine to Escherichia coli. A metabolically engineered strain of E. coli K4, fed with glucose supplemented with GlcNGc, converted it to N-glycolylgalactosamine (GalNGc) that could then be utilized as a substrate in the chondroitin biosynthetic pathway. The final product, Gc-CN was converted to disaccharides using chondroitin lyase ABC and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring detection. This analysis showed the incorporation of GalNGc into the backbone of the chondroitin oligosaccharide.Key Points1. N-glycolyl chondroitin (Gc-CN) is a stable metabolite of Neu5Gc2. Metabolic engineering of E. coli K43. E. coli has promiscuous enzymes involved in CN biosynthesis 4. Feeding E. coli K4 with GlcNGc affords Gc-CN
Enhanced Piezoelectricity from Highly Polarizable Oriented Amorphous Fractions in Biaxially Oriented Poly(vinylidene fluoride) with Pure β Crystals
Authors: Huang yanfei , Rui Guanchun , Allahyarov Elshad , Li Ruipeng , Fukuto Masafumi , Zhong Gan-Ji , Xu Jiazhuang , Li Zhongming , Taylor Philip , Zhu Lei
Published: August 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to author disagreement.
Preoperative imaging risk findings for postoperative new stroke in patients with acute type A aortic dissection
Authors: Zhao Hongliang , Guo Fan , Xu Jingji , Zhu Yuanqiang , Wen Didi , Duan Weixun , Zheng Minwen
Published: August 2020

Background

Stroke is a common postoperative complication in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). We aimed to explore the preoperative imaging risk findings for postoperative new stroke in patients with ATAAD.
Methods

From January 2015 to December 2018, 174 patients with ATAAD who underwent preoperative aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) and cerebral diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as well as postoperative brain CT were included, and divided into DWI (+) and DWI (-) groups. Pre- and intraoperative variables were collected, and logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk predictors of postoperative new stroke.
Results

The incidence of postoperative new stroke was 18.4% (32/174) in patients with ATAAD. Postoperative stroke was detected in 13 (31.0%) patients in the DWI (+) group and in 19 (14.4%) patients in the DWI (-) group with significant difference (P = 0.016). In the DWI (+) group, the lesions of the cerebral infarction located in the unilateral cerebral hemisphere and distributed more than three lobes (P = 0.007) were an independent risk factor for postoperative new stroke. Hypotension (P = 0.002), retrograde ascending aorta dissection with thrombosis of the false lumen (P = 0.010), aortic arch entry (P = 0.035), and coronary artery involvement (P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for postoperative stroke in the DWI (-) cohort.
Conclusions

Patients with ATAAD with cerebral infarction are more likely to develop postoperative new stroke; thus, a preoperative DWI examination may be necessary. DWI lesions distributed more than 3 lobes in the unilateral hemisphere suggest a high possibility of postoperative stroke. For patients with ATAAD with normal brain, particular attention should be given to the CTA findings of false lumen thrombosis, aortic arch entry, and coronary artery involvement to avoid postoperative stroke.
Trial registration:
Retrospectively registered.
Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Rare Primary Cervical Cancer
Authors: Li Jiaoling , Gu Congmin , Zheng Haiqing , Liu Xiaofang , Geng Xiuping , Wu Haiying
Published: August 2020

Background: To summarize ultrasonographic features of rare primary and common cervical cancer and the association of these cancers with HPV infection so as to diagnose rare primary cervical cancer. METHODS: Sixty-five cases with cervical cancer suspected by ultrasonography and three cases with clinical symptoms treated at our department underwent cervical biopsy. Sixty-four diagnosed cases were retrospectively analyzed and divided into common-type (CTCC) and rare-type (RTCC) cervical cancers. RESULTS: Sixty-one cases were diagnosed, four misdiagnosed, three missed the diagnosis by ultrasonography, the sensitivity of which was 95.31% (61/64). The common-type cervical cancer had 43 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. The rare-type cervical cancer had 15 cases of adenocarcinoma, four of small-cell carcinoma, and two of adenosquamous carcinoma. The demographic characteristics of the two groups were not significantly different (P > 0.2). The tumor size in RTCC was smaller than those in CTCC (P < 0.05). Hypoechoic lesions in CTCC and isoechoic lesions in RTCC composed 74.42% (32/43) and 61.90% (13/21), respectively (P < 0.001). Exophytic in CTCC and endophytic in RTCC composed 67.44% (29/43) and 66.67% (14/21), respectively (P = 0.01). HPV infection composed 83.72% (36/43) in CTCC and 47.62% (10/21) in RTCC, respectively (P = 0.003). Color Doppler blood signals were found in all cases, as compared with normal cervical tissue. The consistency between ultrasonography and pathology staging diagnosis of RTCC was good (Weighted kappa (95%CI) = 0.87). CONCLUSION: Most of patients in RTCC have isoechoic lesions. There is a good consistency between ultrasonography and pathology staging diagnosis of RTCC.
Emergency laparotomies under spinal anesthesia: a retrospective, facility based observational study, in Kabul, Afghanistan
Authors: Farda Wais , Nawazish Ahmad Bashir
Published: August 2020

Background Laparotomy is most commonly performed under general anesthesia, but spinal anesthesia (SA) is considered an alternative to in the context of limited resources. The safety and efficacy of using SA as substitute for GA has not been explored in Afghanistan. Methodology We conducted an observational study in the general surgery department of Isteqlal hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan on 196 adult patients undergoing emergency laparotomy under spinal anesthesia between April 2018-April 2020. Results The mean age of patients was 41.5 years (SD=19.4), the ratio of males to females was 1.9:1 and almost half (44.4%) had comorbidities. 21% were classified as ASA grade III and IV with a similar pattern among males and females. 11 (5.6%) cases were converted to GA. Conversion pattern to GA was similar among males and females (P=0.71), ASA grade (P=0.432) and age group (P=0.642). The mean length of stay after operation was 6.5 days (SD=4.1). 32 (16.3%) patients suffered SA complications with no significant difference in according to sex (P=0.134). Hypotension and headache accounted for 97% of complications. Complication rates were similar in terms of intervertebral level (P=0.349), type of abdominal incision (P>0.1) and average length of stay (P=0.156). 18 patients (9.2%) died due to MOF, sepsis, respiratory failure, thromboembolism and cardiogenic shock.Conclusion SA is considered a safe and effective anesthesia for emergency laparotomies, even for those with comorbidities. Based on our findings we would recommend SA as an alternative to GA in emergency laparotomy in Afghanistan.
Age-related Impairment of Navigation and Strategy in Virtual Reality Star Maze
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Wang Lin , Hou Haiyan , Yue Chunlin , Wang Liang , Li Huijie
Published: August 2020

BackgroundAlthough it is well known that aging impairs navigation performance, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Previous study suggested that the egocentric strategy was relatively unimpaired during aging. In this study, we aimed to examine strategy use and the underlying cognitive supporting mechanisms in older adults with the virtual reality star maze.MethodsThirty young adults and thirty-one older adults participated in the study. During the learning trials, participants were required to reach a fixed destination in a virtual reality star maze task. In an additional probe trial, the distal landmarks around the maze were removed, and the strategy using was classified into egocentric and non-egocentric according to whether participants could reach the destination directly.ResultsThe results revealed that older adults adopting egocentric strategy completed the navigation task as accurate as young adults, whereas older adults using non-egocentric strategy were selectively impaired. The relatively well-maintained egocentric strategy in older adults was related to better visuo-spatial ability.ConclusionsVisuo-spatial ability might play an important role in navigation accuracy and navigation strategy of older adults. This study demonstrated the potential value of the virtual reality star maze in evaluating navigation strategy and visuo-spatial ability in older adults.
Relationship of Femoral Offset and Clinical Outcomes of Femoral Neck Fracture Patients Following Bipolar Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Kim Sung Soo , Kim Hyeon Jun , Lee Seung Yup
Published: August 2020

Background

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between femoral offset(FO) and clinical outcomes of patients with femoral neck fracture following bipolar hip arthroplasty(BHA).
Methods

A hospital registry-based retrospective study, involving 520 patients who underwent BHA for femoral neck fracture and with a minimum follow-up of one year, Dong-A university hospital, from December 1, 2003, to September 31, 2018, was carried out. Excluding those with unclear medical records, a previous surgical history on the affected or contralateral hip, a congenital deformity and preoperative trauma history of the hip, high-energy multiple trauma, a history of neurodegenerative disease or cerebrovascular disease, a total of 77 patients were included in the analysis. The subjects were 54 females and 23 males. The mean age of patients was 74.6(65–95) years old and the mean follow-up period was 30.5 (12–136) months. For clinical assessment, postoperative pain visual analogue scale(VAS) and Harris hip score (HHS) were analyzed at each follow-up period. For radiological assessment, the difference in leg length discrepancy (LLD) and FO was measured. FO nearest to the real value was calculated using the values corrected for magnification and rotation errors on the anteroposterior view of plain radiographs taken at the first year of follow-up. In statistical analyses, the statistical significance between FO and clinical outcomes was analyzed using the Pearson correlation tests with SPSS v. 25.0. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results

The difference in mean FO postoperatively was 6.7(± 4.8) mm, and the difference in mean postoperative LLD was 4.9 (± 3.4). The mean HHS was 77.1(± 7.7), 82.3(± 8.6), 83.4(± 7.7), and 86.4(± 6.7) at 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th postoperative months, respectively. In the analysis using the Pearson correlation coefficient, the correlation coefficient between FO and HHS in 1-year follow-up was − 0.38, and a significant outcome was found (p = 0.001). Of HHS domain, the correlation coefficient for function in 1-year follow-up was − 0.42, revealing a significant outcome (p = 0.0001).
Conclusions

There was a stastically significant correlation between clinical oucomes and FO difference at 1 year after BHA in patients with femoral neck fractures older than 65 years.
Using thrombin time to evaluate the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy for acute cerebral infarction
Authors: Li Qianqian , Liu Tingjiao , Yang Shanshan
Published: August 2020

Background

Although intravenous thrombolysis therapy has been considered as a significant progress in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, there are limited effective treatments for patients with onset ischemic symptom that beyond six hours during acute ischemic stroke. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of the intravenous argatroban therapy in acute ischemic stroke patients who cannot be treated with intravenous thrombolysis due to the limited time window.
Methods

One hundred and eighty patients with acute ischemic stroke that had beyond six hours ischemic symptom were admitted to our hospital and were analyzed retrospectively. Levels of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) in peripheral blood of these patients were measured by ELISA at 24 hours post initial therapy.
Results

We found that plasma TT was significantly prolonged after 24 hours of argatroban treatment. aPTT showed slightly increased prolongation after 24 hours of argatroban treatment. PT also showed slightly prolonged after treatment, however, there was no difference from the basal line. We further investigated the relationship between the level of TT and the clinical effectiveness and safety of intravenous argatroban therapy. We found that when TT was between 40 and 80 seconds, intravenous argatroban effectively promoted the complete recovery rates without increasing the risk of hemorrhage.
Conclusion

Our study implies that TT assay might be useful for guiding regular dose of agratroban for therapy.
A New Monoclonal Antibody that Blocks KIT Dimerisation and Inhibits Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour Growth
Authors: Bai Chen Guang , Xu Yi , Qiu Cen
Published: August 2020

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is the most common sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract, and arises owing to oncogenic mutations in c-kit that result in constitutive auto-phosphorylation of KIT in the absence of ligand binding. Small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown good clinical activity by inhibiting ATP binding to the receptor. Unfortunately, majority of patients eventually develop drug resistance, which limits the long-term benefits of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors and poses a significant challenge in the clinical management of GIST. Here, we demonstrate c-kit mutation-driven KIT auto-dimerisation prior to tyrosine kinase phosphorylation as same as the procedure in ligand-dependent signalling pathway and describe a monoclonal antibody, KITMAb, with strong affinity to the dimerisation domain of KIT that blocks the important step in both the KIT signalling pathways. Treatment of KIT-dimer-expressing cells with the KITMAb slowed down cell growth. Furthermore, KITMAb reduced the proportion of cells in the proliferative phase (S+G2-M). Finally, we also demonstrate that KITMAb treatment accelerated cell apoptosis. These results indicate that KITMAb strongly inhibits KIT receptor dimerisation-mediated signalling pathway and cell growth responses in vitro. Further, the results suggest that treatment with KITMAb may be potentially therapeutic in imatinib-resistant GIST.
An Epidemiologic Study of the Process of Changes in Anthropometric Indices in Children Under 24 Months Based on Gender Differences in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province, Southwest Iran 2017-18: an Incidental Phenomenon or a Gender Inequality?
Authors: Pourmahmoudi Azizollah , Mousavizadeh Ali , dastoorpoor maryam , Tabeshfar Zibane , Hosseinikia Mahboobe , kousari raana
Published: August 2020

Background:An assessment of the process of changes in growth indices of children basaed on gender differences not only does provide the required information of the child's growth pattern, rather it also prepares the ground for a dynamic comparison of gender differences as a sensitive indicator of gender discrimination. The current research has been designed and implemented for depicting the growth patterns of children under two years old.Methods:Through a secondary analysis based study, the health files of 1336 children under 2 years old (700 boys and 636 girls) in the maternal and child health care system in Kohkiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province in 2017 were analyzed in terms of the nutritional status and in view of underweight and skinniness (wasting) and stunting (stunted growth) based on WHO standardization indicators.Results:The average difference of weight, height and head circumference of male and female children in the early days of their birth were respectively 67 g, 0.36 and 0.37 cm. Although z standardized score charts for average weight, height, and head circumference did not show a significant difference in the course of two-year period among boys and girls, the percentage ratio of boys as compared to girls in low weight at birth, six months, one year and two years old are respectively 0.98, 1.7, 12.4 and 1.5 for weight loss index 2.4, 1.73, 2.9 and 1.9, and for the short height (stunted growth) indexes 1.3, 1.48, 1.4 and 1.6, and for the head circumference index 0.48, 2.27, 1.56 and 1.6, and these indicate a constant gap between the boys with low weight, skinny and low head circumference measure and girls.Discussion and conclusion:In spite of the closeness of weight, height and head circumference differences in newborn girls and boys, their growth difference over the two-years period was associated with boys' superiority. In other words, boys had a more desirable growth trend than girls in terms of averaging indices. On the other hand, the percentage of male children with low weight, wasting and short height in the whole course of the study was more than female subjects. The research findings not only lay an emphasis on the gap between boys and girls in view of the studied indices, but also underlines the fact that in epidemiological studies, comparisons of averages are not an appropriate approach for comparing populations, and this in turn reveals the urgent need to pay more attention to frequency-based indicators. The recent attitude shift that has occurred among Iranian familes in terms of giving much care to girls as compared to boys against the previous inverted approach seems to be one of the most important justifications for this difference in growth trend.
Duodenal Stump Reinforcement with Purse-string Suture in Distal Gastrectomy under Laparoscope Combined with Uncut Roux-en-Y Reconstruction in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Li Fengyuan , Xu Jianghao , Xu Hao , Wang Weizhi , Zhang Caidian , Yang Li , Wang Linjun , Ge Yugang , Xia Yiwen , Shi Liang , Wang Lu , Xu Zekuan
Published: August 2020

Objective: This study aimed to compare patient outcomes after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric cancer between a group who underwent a duodenal stump reinforcement procedure and those who did not.Methods: Data from 233 patients with gastric cancer (GC) undergoing distal gastrectomy under laparoscope combined with uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction were retrospectively investigated. Patients were divided into two groups. The non-reinforcement group (NR) underwent surgery from June 2014 to March 2015 with no reinforcement of the duodenal stump (n=54) and the reinforcement group (R) underwent surgery from April 2015 to June 2018 with reinforcement of the duodenal stump (n=179). In group R, the duodenum was divided using an endoscope-assisted linear stapler, which was reinforced by a purse-string suture along the duodenal staple line. Results: Duodenal stump leakage was observed in 2 patients from group NR (3.7%), while no duodenal stump leakage or fistula was detected in group R. In addition, no significant difference was observed in the patient characteristics between group NR and R.Conclusions: The incidence of duodenal stump leakage can be reduced by reinforcement with a purse-string suture.
Propofol Ameliorates Ischemic Brain Injury by Blocking Toll-like Receptor 4-dependent Pathway and Suppressing Consequent Inflammatory Cytokine Production
Authors: Mitsui Kazuha , Kotoda Masakazu , Hishiyama Sohei , Takamino Ayasa , Morikawa Sho , Ishiyama Tadahiko , Matsukawa Takashi
Published: August 2020

BackgroundIschemic stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Accumulated evidence suggests that the consequent excessive inflammation plays detrimental roles in the pathogenesis of secondary injury after cerebral infarction and exacerbates the brain tissue damage. Although regulation of the inflammation would be the potential strategy for the novel treatment option, effective methods that control the cerebral inflammation have not yet been established. Recent studies have suggested that propofol, a sedative agent widely used for management of patients with acute stroke, suppresses excessive inflammation and may have neuroprotective effects against ischemic brain injury. However, the available evidence is still limited and controversial, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of propofol against ischemic brain injury, with a specific focus on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), the critical mediator of inflammation in the ischemic brain.ResultsTreatment with propofol significantly reduced infarct volume in wild-type mice (7.9 ± 1.4 vs. 12.6 ± 1.1 mm3, n = 10 each, p < 0.05). The propofol-treated mice exhibited lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions compared with the control mice (IL-6: 0.57 ± 0.23 vs. 1.00 ± 0.39, p < 0.05, IL-1β: 0.53 ± 0.24 vs. 1.00 ± 0.36, p = 0.087, n = 15 each). The neuroprotective effect of propofol was abrogated by TLR4 gene knockout. Propofol treatment had no significant effects on hemodynamic parameters.ConclusionsPropofol attenuates brain injury by blocking the TLR4-dependent pathway and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This insight into the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of propofol against ischemic brain injury may lead to a new strategy for preventing exacerbation of cerebral infarction.
Computational analyses decipher the primordial folding coding the 3D structure of the beetle horn
Authors: Matsuda Keisuke , Gotoh Hiroki , Adachi Haruhiko , Inoue Yasuhiro , Kondo Shigeru
Published: August 2020

The beetle horn primordium is a complex and compactly folded epithelial sheet located beneath the larval cuticle. Only by unfolding the primordium the complete 3D shape of the horn appears, suggesting that the morphology of beetle horns is coded in the primordial folding pattern. To decipher the folding pattern, we have developed a method to manipulate the primordial local folding, reproduced it on a computer, and clarified the contribution of the folding of each primordium region to transformation. We found that the three major morphological changes (branching of distal tips, proximodistal elongation, and angular change) were caused by the folding of different regions, and that the folding mechanism was also different depending on the region. The computational methods we used are applicable to the morphological study of other exoskeletal animals.
Mobile Small RNAs Are Predominately Accumulated via Long-Distance Movement Rather than Local Biogenesis
Authors: Li Shuai , Wang Xutong , Xu Wenying , Xu Tong , Cai Chunmei , Chen Liyang , Clark Chancelor , Ma Jianxin
Published: August 2020

Long-distance RNA movement is important for plant growth and environmental responses; however, the extent to which RNAs move between distant tissues, their relative magnitude and functional significance remain to be elucidated on a genomic scale. Using a soybean (Glycine max)/common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) grafting system, we identified 100 shoot-root mobile miRNAs and 32 shoot-root mobile phasiRNAs, which were predominantly produced in shoots but transported to roots, some of which enabled cleavage of their mRNA targets or their precursors. In contrast, most of the mobile mRNAs were transcribed in both shoots and roots and were truncated fragments, with the transported copies accounting for only a tiny portion of all copies accumulated in the recipient (shoots or roots) tissues. These findings suggest that the regulatory mechanisms for sRNAs movement are different from those for mRNA movement, and that the earlier is more strictly regulated, and likely, more functionally significant than the latter.
The Effect of Screening and Treatment of Ureaplasma Urealyticum Infection on Semen Parameters in Asymptomatic Leukocytospermia: A Case Control Study
Authors: Zhang Qi-Feng , Zhang Yu-Ji , Wang Sheng , Wei Yu , Li Feng , Feng Ke-Jian
Published: August 2020

Background: Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection, as well as asymptomatic leukocytospermia, whether it has effect on semen parameters and whether it needs screening and treatment is still a confusing and controversial topic for clinicians.Methods: Among 1,530 adult males who visited Guilin People's Hospital due to infertility, 295 were diagnosed with asymptomatic leukocytospermia, and 95 were further screened for UU-positive. 81 UU-positive asymptomatic leukocytospermia patients received 7-day or 14-day treatment plan with doxycycline, and 70 cases were cured. The semen parameters of non-leukocytospermia, leukocytospermia, UU-positive leukocytospermia and UU-negative leukocytospermia groups were compared, and the differences between the two treatment plans and the semen parameters before UU treatment and 1 month after UU-cured were compared.Results: Compared with non-leukocytospermia patients, the sperm concentration, progressive motility (PR), and normal morphology of patients with leukocytospermia decreased, while those with UU-positive leukocytospermia performed more significantly. The PR, total motility, and normal morphology of UU-positive leukocytospermia patients were significantly lower than those of UU-negative leukocytospermia patients (all p<0.001). The UU cure rates of the 7-day and 14-day treatment plan with doxcycline was 84.62% and 89.66% (p=0.738), respectively, and the sperm concentration, PR, total motility, and normal morphology of the cured UU-positive leukocytospermia patients were all increased after 1 month (p=0.001, p=0.022, p=0.004 and p=0.008, respectively).Conclusions: It is significant to screen and treat UU infection in asymptomatic leukocytospermia for improving sperm quality. Where appropriate, the 7-day treatment plan with doxycycline may be a good choice.
Glycaemia and Hand Grip Strength in Aging People: Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study
Authors: Liang Xue , Jiang Chao Qiang , Zhang Wei Sen , Zhu Feng , Jin Ya Li , Cheng Kar Keung , Lam Tai Hing , Xu Lin
Published: August 2020

Background
There is a link between hyperglycemia and mechanical functions of muscle. However, existing evidence of the association between hyperglycemia and weaker muscle strength is limited and inconsistent. We examined whether glycemic status was associated with relative grip strength (RGS) in older Chinese.
Methods
In 2008–2012, 9180 participants (2516 men and 6664 women) from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study had fasting and 2-hour post-load glucose measured. Glycemic status was categorized as normoglycaemia, prediabetes (i.e., impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance) and diabetes. RGS was assessed using a Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer divided by body mass index. General linear model was used to assess the association of glycemic status with RGS.
Results
After adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol use, physical activity, health status, body fat percentage and waist circumference, in men, hyperglycemia was associated with a lower RGS, with the RGS being 1.38 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.34, 1.42) in normoglycaemia, 1.35 (95% CI = 1.30, 1.39) in prediabetes, 1.33 (95% CI = 1.29, 1.38) in newly diagnosed diabetes and 1.32 (95% CI = 1.27, 1.37) in known diabetes (P for trend < 0.001). The association of glycemic status with RGS was non-significant in women. Among the normoglycaemic group, no association was found between fasting glucose and RGS in men, whereas a significantly inverse association was found in women, with adjusted β for RGS per mmol/l increase in fasting glucose being − 0.05 to -0.04 (P values from 0.002 to 0.03).
Conclusions
Higher fasting glucose was associated with reduced grip strength in a dose-response manner, and the association was significant even in women with normoglycaemia. Our findings suggest that lowering glucose across the whole range might be important in preserving muscle strength, especially in aging women.
Impact of physical activity and lifestyle in pre-infection on the susceptibility and prognosis of infects with COVID-19
Authors: Huang Baozhen , Zhang Shixi , Gong Jiuyu , Niu Yanlin , Zhang Fengjuan , Jiang Lin , Wang Mingming , Cui Jing , Li Weixin , Jin Cheng , Bao Pengtao , Li Diangeng
Published: August 2020

Background

There are very few studies focusing on the relationship between COVID-19 and pre-infection lifestyle. In the absence of effective vaccines and special-effect medicines, it is very meaningful to actively respond to the disease pandemic by improving lifestyle habits.
Methods

This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study enrolled 431 adult people including 228 normal people and 203 confirmed infects in Wubei, Henan and Shandong Provinces. Questionnaires were used to collect information on physical activity and lifestyle by competent doctors. The univariate logistic regression models and multiple regression models were used in risk factor analysis. Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to test the correlation.
Results

Lifestyle habits including exercise, smoking, sedentary behavior and physical activity intensity can significantly affect the probability of getting COVID-19 (P < 0.05). The MET (Metabolic Equivalent) intensity classification and sleep status are found to be the potential influencing factors of prognosis in both all infects and symptomatic patients. In all infects, taking the high MET intensity level as a reference, inpatient days would increase by 1.812 times (95% CI: 0.887–3.701) with no significance when the level is moderate (P > 0.05) and significantly increase by 6.674 times (95% CI: 1.613–27.613) when the level is low (P < 0.05). Kruskal-Wallis H test results showed moderate activity MET*min promoted shorter hospital stay (P < 0.05) mainly.
Conclusions

Sleep status and physical activity influenced the susceptibility and prognosis of COVID-19. Lack of sleep and low MET intensity level may prolong the hospital stay, which means a relatively slow recovery. This encourages the public to have moderate physical activity and adequate sleep to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic actively.
Dietary Intake and Physical Activity in Patients After Invasive Treatment of Hemorrhoidal Disease
Authors: Burmeister Greta , Lieb Wolfgang , Franke Andre , Schafmayer Clemens , Hinz Sebastian , Hendricks Alexander , Németh Christopher Georg , Schniewind Bodo , Doniec J. Marek , Bokelmann Frank , Jongen Johannes , Peleikes Hans-Günter , Kahlke Volker , Ratjen Ilka
Published: August 2020

BackgroundAlthough lifestyle modifications are an integral part of treatment and prevention of hemorrhoidal disease, it is largely unknown how lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity are characterized in patients with a history of advanced and invasively treated hemorrhoidal disease.MethodsIn a Northern German cross-sectional study, clinical characteristics and dietary and physical activity data of 386 patients were assessed via questionnaires at median 10 years after their first invasive hemorrhoidal treatment. Food and nutrient intake and physical activity levels of the hemorrhoid patients were compared with general population controls. Additionally, within the hemorrhoid patient cohort, dietary intake and physical activity were related to clinical characteristics using logistic regression analyses.resultsWhereas in men, there were no statistically significant differences in food intake between hemorrhoids patients and controls, women with a history of hemorrhoids had a significantly higher consumption of potatoes, nuts and animal fat, and a lower consumption of fruits, compared to women from the control group. Hemorrhoid patients reported slightly more gardening activities and less TV watching than controls. Within the hemorrhoid patient cohort, hemorrhoid grade, type of first therapy, need for further treatment, patients’ compliance for another surgery if necessary and current anal afflictions revealed individual associations with fiber, alcohol, animal fat and potato consumption and the amounts of home repair activities and sleeping time.ConclusionsAlthough we could identify some statistically significant differences in dietary and physical activity behavior between hemorrhoid patients and controls and observed associations between clinical characteristics and lifestyle factors, some findings are, in parts, still inconsistent. Whether patients are following lifestyle recommendations as part of conservative hemorrhoid treatment and tertiary prevention and which patients are more adherent than others (e.g., high-grade vs. low-grade) needs further investigation.
The Combination of External Beam Radiotherapy with Cf (Californium)-252 Neutron Intracavitary Brachytherapy is Significantly Effective than with Ir (Iridium)-192 Gamma Intracavitary Brachytherapy in Controlling Stage IIB Cervical Adenocarcinoma: A Matched Pair Analysis
Authors: Lei Xin , Xiong Yanli , Gao Nan , Li Chongyi , Chen Shu , Sheng Xiugui
Published: August 2020

Background: To assess the efficacy of combined external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) with Cf-252 neutrons versus Ir-192 photons in matched pairs for stage IIB adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix (AC).Methods: Patients with stage IIB AC were matched into 19 pairs between January 2005 and March 2013 and were divided into neutron ICBT (NICBT) and photon ICBT (PICBT) groups. Pelvic EBRT was administered with 2 Gy/fraction, 4 fractions/week, to a total dose of 50–54 Gy, with the center of pelvic field blocked by 4 cm in width after 20–36 Gy in both groups. NICBT and PICBT were administered with 10.5–13 Gy-eq/fraction vs. 10–13 Gy/fraction, to a total dose of 42–53.2 Gy-eq vs. 40–51 Gy at point A. Radiotherapy was administered concurrently and sequentially with 2–4 cycles of chemotherapy, consisting of cisplatin, or carboplatin, and paclitaxel only in PICBT groups. Survival data and late complication rates were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, log rank, t test, and 2 × 2 contingency analysis. Results: The 5-year OS and DFS rate in the NICBT group were significantly higher than those of the PICBT group. Early treatment toxicity and late complications were mild in both groups. Conclusion: The combination of EBRT and Cf-252 neutron ICBT alone is more effective than the combination of EBRT and Ir-192 photon ICBT with concurrent and sequential chemotherapy for stage IIB AC patients.
Modulation of the Gut Microbiota Alters the Tumor-Suppressive Efficacy of Tim-3 Pathway Blockade in a Bacterial Species- and Host Factor-Dependent Manner
Authors: Lee Bokyoung , Lee Jieun , Woo Min-Yeong , Lee Mi Jin , Shin Ho-Joon , Kim Kyongmin , Park Sun
Published: August 2020

Background T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein-3 (Tim-3) is an immune checkpoint molecule and a potential target for anti-cancer therapy. Alterations in the tumor-suppressive efficacy of immunotherapy due to gut microbiota disturbance have been reported; however, the influence of gut microbiota on the efficacy of Tim-3 blockade is yet to be investigated. In this study, we examined whether gut microbiota manipulation altered the anti-tumor efficacy of Tim-3 blockade. The gut microbiota was manipulated by the administration of antibiotics and oral gavage of bacteria to mice. Results Alterations in the gut microbiome were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Gut dysbiosis triggered by antibiotics attenuated the anti-tumor efficacy of Tim-3 blockade in both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mouse strains. Anti-tumor efficacy was restored via gut microbiota manipulation through oral gavage of fecal bacteria even as antibiotic administration continued. In the case of oral gavage of Enterococcus hirae or Lactobacillus johnsonii, the transferred bacterial species and host mouse strain were critical in determining the anti-tumor efficacy of Tim-3 blockade. Furthermore, oral bacterial gavage did not increase alpha diversity of the gut microbiota in antibiotics-treated mice but did alter microbiome composition, which was associated with restoration of anti-tumor efficacy of Tim-3 blockade. Conclusions Our results highlight the importance of the gut microbiota in anti-cancer immunotherapy responsiveness and indicate that gut microbiota modulation may increase the efficacy of immunotherapy when concomitantly administered with antibiotics. The administered bacterial species and host factors should be considered so as to benefit from gut microbiota modulation.
Metabolomic Analysis of SCD During Goose Follicular Development: Implications for Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Yuan Xin , Hu Shenqiang , Li Liang , Liu Hehe , He Hua , Wang Jiwen
Published: August 2020

Background Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is known to be an important rate-limiting enzyme in the production of MUFA. The role of this enzyme in goose follicular development is poorly understood. To investigate the metabolic mechanism of SCD during goose follicular development, we observed SCD expression patterns during follicular development in vivo and in vitro using quantitative reverse-transcription (qRT)-PCR. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine a cellular model of SCD function in granulosa cells (GCs) via SCD overexpression and knockdown.Results qRT-PCR analysis showed that SCD was abundantly expressed in the GC layer, and was upregulated in preovulatory follicles. Peak expression was found in F1 and prehierarchal follicles with diameters of 4–6 mm and 8–10 mm, respectively. We further found the mRNA expression and corresponding enzyme activity to occur in a time-dependent oscillation in vitro, beginning on the first day of GC culture. By using LC-MS/MS, we identified numerous changes in metabolite activation and developed an overview of multiple metabolic pathways, ten of which were associated with lipid metabolism and enriched in both the overexpressed and the knockdown groups.ConclusionsWe confirmed cholesterol and pantothenol or pantothenate as potential metabolite biomarkers for studying SCD-related lipid metabolism in goose GCs.
Glacier Forecast: Jakobshavn Isbrae Primed for Thinning and Acceleration
Authors: Willis Josh , Carroll Dustin , Gardner Alex , Khazendar Ala , Wood Michael , Holland David , Holland Denise , Fenty Ian , Rignot Eric , Chauche Nolwenn , Rosing-Asvid Aqqalu
Published: August 2020

After three years of cold conditions, warm water has returned to Ilulissat Icefjord, home to Jakobshavn Isbrae—Greenland’s largest outlet glacier. Jakobshavn has slowed and thickened since 2016, when waters near the glacier cooled from 3 °C to 1.5 °C. Fjord temperatures remained cold through at least the end of 2019, but in March 2020, temperatures in the fjord warmed to 2.8 °C. As a result of the warming, we forecast that Jakobshavn Isbrae will accelerate and resume thinning during the 2020 melt season. The fjord’s profound influence on glacier behavior, and the connectivity between fjord conditions and regional ocean climate imply a degree of predictability that we aim to test with this forecast. Given the global importance of sea-level rise, we must advance our ability to forecast such rapidly changing systems, and this work represents an important first step in glacier forecasting.
Semi-automated annotation of cell type-specific protein expression patterns in human testis based on immunohistochemistry
Authors: Ghoshal Biraja , Tucker Allan , Norradin Feria Hikmet , Lindskog Cecilia
Published: August 2020

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) provides the basis for cell type-specific localization of protein expression patterns in human tissues. Manual annotation of complex IHC images is however expensive and may lead to errors or inter-observer variability. Artificial Intelligence holds much promise for efficient and accurate pattern recognition, but confidence in prediction needs to be addressed. To present a reliable model for annotation of IHC images, we developed a semi-automated framework for multi-label classification of 7,848 human testis samples stained with IHC, and manually annotated in situ protein expression in eight different cell types. The dataset was used as a basis for training and testing a proposed Hybrid Bayesian Neural Network. By combining the deep learning model with a novel uncertainty metric, the average diagnostic performance improved from 86.9% to 96.3%. The streamlined workflow has important implications for accurate large-scale efforts mapping the human cell type-specific proteome in health and disease.