bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resolvin E1 accelerates pulp repair by regulating inflammation and stimulating dentin regeneration in dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Chen Jie , Xu Huaxing , Xia Kun , Cheng Shuhua , Zhang Qi 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Unresolved inflammation and tissue destruction are considered to underlie failure of dental pulp repair. As key mediators of the injury response, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) play a critical role in pulp tissue repair and regeneration. Resolvin E1 (RvE1), a major dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty-acid metabolite, is effective in resolving inflammation and activating wound healing. However, whether RvE1 facilitates injured pulp-tissue repair and regeneration through timely resolution of inflammation and rapid mobilization of DPSCs is unknown. Therefore, we established a pulp injury model and investigated the effects of RvE1 on DPSC-mediated inflammation resolution and injured pulp repair.
Methods
A pulp injury model was established using eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were sacrificed on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after pulp capping with a collagen sponge immersed in PBS with RvE1 or PBS. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, and immunohistofluorescence were used to evaluate the prohealing properties of RvE1. hDPSCs were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response, and the expression of inflammatory factors after RvE1 application was measured. Effects of RvE1 on hDPSC proliferation, chemotaxis, and odontogenic differentiation were evaluated by CCK-8 assay, transwell assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining, and quantitative PCR, and possible signaling pathways were explored using western blotting.
Results
In vivo, RvE1 promoted injured pulp repair and reparative dentin formation. Further, it enhanced dentin sialoprotein and nestin expression and accelerated pulp inflammation resolution by suppressing TNF-α and CD68 expression. RvE1 enhanced the recruitment of CD146+ and CD105+ DPSCs to the damaged molar pulp mesenchyme. Isolated primary cells exhibited the mesenchymal stem cell immunophenotype and differentiation. RvE1 promoted hDPSC proliferation and chemotaxis. RvE1 significantly attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, CD68, IL-6, and IL-1β) release and enhanced ALP activity, nodule mineralization, and especially, expression of the odontogenesis-related genes DMP-1, DSPP, and BSP in LPS-stimulated DPSCs. RvE1 regulated Akt, ERK, and rS6 phosphorylation.
Conclusions
RvE1 promotes pulp inflammation resolution and dentin regeneration and positively influences the proliferation, chemotaxis, and differentiation of LPS-stimulated hDPSCs. This response is, at least partially, dependent on Akt, ERK, and rS6-associated signaling. RvE1 has promising application potential in regenerative endodontics.
Caspase-11 regulates lung inflammation in response to house dust mites
Authors: khweek Arwa Abu , Joldrichsen Marisa R. , Kim Eunsoo , Attia Zayed , Krause Kathrin , Daily Kylene , Estfanous Shady , Hamilton Kaitlin , Badr Asmaa , Anne Midhun N. K. , Eltobgy Mostafa , Carafice Cierra , Zhang Xiaoli , Gavrilin Mikhail A. , Boyaka Prosper N. , Amer Amal O. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Asthma is an inflammatory lung disorder characterized by mucus hypersecretion, cellular infiltration, and bronchial hyper-responsiveness. House dust mites (HDM) are the most prevalent cause of allergic sensitization. Canonical and noncanonical inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that assemble in response to pathogen or danger-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs or DAMPs). Murine caspase-11 engages the noncanonical inflammasome. We addressed the role of caspase-11 in mediating host responses to HDM and subsequent allergic inflammation using caspase-11−/− mice, which lack caspase-11 while express caspase-1. We found that HDM induce caspase-11 expression in vitro. The presence of IL-4 and IL-13 promotes caspase-11 expression. Additionally, caspase-11−/− macrophages show reduced release of (KC, IL-6 and IL-12) cytokines, and express lower levels of costimulatory molecules (e.g., CD40, CD86 and MHCII) in response to HDM stimulation. Notably, HDM sensitization of caspase-11−/− mice resulted in similar levels of IgE responses and hypothermia in response to nasal HDM challenge compared to WT. However, analysis of cell numbers and cytokines in bronchiolar alveolar fluid (BALF), as well as histological lung tissue showed altered inflammatory responses and reduced neutrophilia in the airways of the caspase-11−/− mice. These findings indicate that caspase-11 regulates airway inflammation in response to HDM exposure.
The Immunoreactivity Patterns of BRAF VE1 and Its Diagnostic Value in Brain Tumors
Authors: Li Hainan , Fan Chongzhu , Chen Wendan , Liu Minting , Xiang Xuan , Zhang Zhenbin , Jiang Guangyu , Wang Lei , Li Zhi 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: BRAF mutations have been detected in a high proportion of melanoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, and various primary brain tumors. But the sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical detection of BRAF-V600E mutant protein were not evaluated in brain tumors. The aim of this study was to assess the utlity of BRAF-V600E IHC compared to molecular biology on a large series of brain tumors, in order to provide a useful reference for the use of BRAF-V600E IHC in clinical practice.Methods and results: We analyzed the BRAF-V600E immunoreactivity pattern and its expression profile by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 122 patients diagnosed with different tumors of brain including gangliocytoma/ganglioma(GC/GG), pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas(PXA), epithelioid glioblastoma(E-GBM), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour(DNT), pilocytic astrocytoma(PA), and papillary craniopharyngioma(p-CPG). VE1 immunostaining of 52 cases showed clear cytoplasmic diffuse positive pattern in majority tumor cells. 14 cases were presented with clear granular cytoplasmic positive pattern in single tumor cell or tumor cell cluster. 22 cases displayed equivocal positive with undefined location. 34 cases were negative. Including 81 immunopositive cases and 29 immunonegative cases were further confirmed by Real-time PCR. And 63 of 81 immunopositive cases were confirmed with BRAF-V600E mutation (77.8%), and all of 29 negative cases were confirmed to have wild-type BRAF (100%). Interestingly, only the cases showing clear immunoreactivity patterns (e.g cytoplasmic) with clean background had immunostaining results consistent with the molecular detection results, regardless of the number of positive cells (61/61,100%). However, samples with indeterminate immunoreactivity patterns were most likely to have false positive results (18/20, 90%). Conclusions: VE1 immunostaining could replace molecular detection to some extent, on the premise of mastering the key points in the interpretation of BRAF VE1 immunostaining: 1) As long as the positive signal was accurately located in the cytoplasm of tumor cells, the sample was considered to have BRAF V600E mutation, disregarding the number of positive cells; 2) Tissue samples that had no signal of BRAF VE1 expression with clear background could be confirmed with wild-type BRAF-V600E; 3) Some equivocal positive with uniform “coating” or nucleus positive cases were often considered as false-positive and usually required further molecular detection.
The hidden secrets of a neutral pH – Blood-Gas-Analysis of postoperative patients according to the Stewart approach
Authors: Janssen Joost , Fessem Joris M.K. van , Ris Tijmen , Stolker Robert Jan , Klimek Markus 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The superiority of either the traditional or Stewart based approach to acid-base balance has focused primarily on analyzing metabolic acidemia, with little attention given to patients with neutral pH. In this study, we evaluate metabolic disturbances in patients in the immediate postoperative period focusing on patients with neutral pH, while comparing the Stewart and traditional approach.
Methods
We conducted a single center retrospective observational cohort study. Over a 17 month period, data on arterial blood gas analysis, electrolytes and albumin on the morning after surgery were retrieved from patients admitted to the postsurgical high dependency unit (HDU). Albumin corrected anion gap (AG), apparent (SIDa) and effective strong ion difference (SIDe) and strong ion gap (SIG) were calculated.
Results
Out of 1207 HDU admissions, 400 cases had a complete set of laboratory-data including albumin of which 281 presented with neutral pH (7.35 ≤ pH ≤ 7.45), 64 with acidemia (pH < 7.35) and 55 with alkalemia (pH > 7.45). In pH neutral patients the following acidifying disturbances were found: SIDa was lowered in 101 (36%), SIG was raised in 60 (21%). Base excess (BE) was decreased in 16 (6%) and corrected AG raised in 107 (38%). The alkalizing effect of hypoalbuminemia was present in 137 (49%). Out of 134 cases with normal BE and corrected AG, SIDa was lowered in 58 (43%). Out of 136 cases with normal SIDa and SIG, none had lowered BE and 28 increased AG (21%). Length of stay was significantly longer in patients with hypoalbuminemia, lowered SIDa and increased corrected AG, but not decreased BE (Hypoalbuminemia: 16 days vs. 10 days, P < 0.001. Low SIDa: 15 days vs. 12 days, P = 0.015. Increased AG: 16 days vs. 11 days, P < 0.001. Low BE: 14 days vs. 13 days, P = 0.736).
Conclusions
Metabolic disturbances, characterized mainly by the presence of lowered SIDa, increased AG and hypoalbuminemia, are frequent in our population with apparent neutral acid-base balance based on pH and base excess. These changes on the morning after surgery are associated with increased length of stay.
Prevalence and Predictors of Cervical Cytological (Pap Smear) Abnormalities Among HIV-infected Women at the HIV Treatment Center of Jos University Teaching Hospital Jos, Nigeria.
Authors: Silas Olugbenga Akindele , Akpa Philip O. , Afolaranmi Tolulope O. , Ohayi Samuel Robsam , Musa Jonah , Wehbe Firas H. , Sagay Atiene S. , Achenbach Chad J. , Mandong Barnabas M. , Hou Lifang , Murphy Robert L. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women living with HIV with the highest burden in sub-Sahara African countries with the highest prevalence of HIV. Early detection of precursor cervical lesions through routine Pap smear screening is central to cervical cancer prevention. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of abnormal Pap smear findings among women with HIV in our cervical cancer screening program. Methodology: We carried out a cross sectional study of adult women with HIV who presented for Pap smear test for the first time at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, North Central Nigeria between November2018 and January 2020. Prevalence of abnormal cervical finding was reported in percentage and also expressed per 100 population of women. The effects of the characteristics of the women of the abnormal pap smear finding was determined using the logistic regression model where 95% confidence interval and adjusted odds were used as point and interval estimates respectively while a probability value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 949 women with HIV participated in the cervical screening program with mean age 43.3 ± 8.1 years. Abnormal smear findings were observed among 183 (19.3%: 19 cases per 100 women) with ASCUS, ASC-H, LSIL, HSIL, HSIL with suspicion of invasion and AGUS accounting for 96 (10.1%), 50(5.3%), 27 (2.9%), 6 (0.6%), 2 (0.2%) and 2(0.2%) respectively. Of the abnormal smear findings, 125 (68.3%) were adjudged to have mild cytological feature while the complementing proportion adjudged to have severe cytological features. Unadjusted odds of abnormal Pap smear result was associated with increasing age, OR 1.15(95% CI 1.127, 1.186; p = 0.001); parity, OR1.08 (95% CI 1.019, 1.141; p = 0.009). In the adjusted model, increasing age remained the only factor predicting abnormal Pap smear finding. Conclusion: Prevalence of abnormal Pap smear results remains high in HIV- infected women and is associated with increasing age. Advocacy to institutionalize screening at earlier age is therefore key to improving dismal outcomes.
MiR-221 represents an innovative bio-marker in cervical carcinoma detection
Authors: Cao Shuangqing , Zheng Lei 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

MiR-221 has been identified to play an important role in tumorigenesis and progression. In the present study, we aimed at to investigate the expression pattern of serum miR-221 and evaluate its diagnostic value in cervical cancer.
Methods

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression pattern of miR-221 in cervical cancer patients and healthy controls. The association of miR-221 with clinicopathological data was analyzed with χ2 test. Then receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was built to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum miR-221 by calculating the area under the ROC curve (AUC).
Results

The results indicated that the miR-221 expression level was statistically elevated in cervical cancer patients compared with healthy individuals. The increased miR-221 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.026) and FIGO stage (P = 0.028). ROC curve suggested that serum miR-221 had a high diagnostic value in differentiating cervical cancer patients from healthy controls with AUC of 0.932 (95%CI: 0.903–0.960) corresponding with sensitivity of 77.6% and specificity of 94.8%.
Conclusions

Taken together, the expression level of miR-221 is increased in cervical carcinoma and it may serve as a promoting bio-marker in the diagnosis of cervical cancer patients.
Quality of Life after Colorectal Surgery: A Prospective Study of Patients Compared with their Spouses
Authors: Aylaz Gokce , Akyol Cihangir , Kocaay Akin Firat , Gokmen Derya , Yavuzarslan Ayse Burcu , Erkek Ayhan Bulent , Kuzu Mehmet Ayhan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: The aim of the present prospective, comparative study was to compare the quality of life (QoL) of patients after colorectal surgery to the QoL of their spouses.Methods: The study included patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal carcinoma (n = 100; abdominoperineal excision [n = 33], low anterior resection [n = 33], left hemicolectomy [n = 34]) and their spouses (n = 100). The patients and spouses completed the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS-II) preoperatively and at postoperative months 15 to 18.Results: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the disability scores of patients and the scores of their spouses for some of the WHODAS-II subscales, such as “self-care,” “life activities,” and “participation in society,” as well as for the total WHODAS-II score. There was also a positive correlation between the QoL of patients and the QoL of their spouses in most of the SF-36 subscales. Statistically significant correlations were observed for the “bodily pain,” “general health,” ”vitality,” “social function,” “emotion,” “mental health,” and mental component summary score subscales of the SF-36. When gender differences were evaluated, the QoL of male patients’ spouses changed more when compared with female patients’ spouses for all of the WHODAS-II subscales.Conclusions: The QoL of patients and that of their spouses changed following surgery for colorectal cancer. These changes were more significant among male patients’ spouses.
Positive correlation between six-minute walk test and heart rate variability in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Carneiro Erika , Azoubel Luana , Sá Emanuelle , Dias Carlos , Caputo-Sá Danubia , Filho Natalino Salgado , Suassuna Jose Hermogenes , Pires Karlla , Mostarda Cristiano , Bernardo-Filho Mario 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Autonomic dysfunction is a prevalent clinical condition in chronic renal patients on hemodialysis and adds patient’s worse cardiovascular outcome, some studies in several populations relate worse cardiorespiratory performance with higher dysautonomia, but among chronic renal patients on hemodialysis these studies are still limited. The aim of this study was to verify whether there is an association between autonomic cardiac dysfunction and walking test performance in hemodialysis patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in 61 patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy performed clinical examination, blood sampling, electrocardiography of heart rate variability and 6-minute walk test. Results There was a positive correlation between the 6 minute walking test and the heart rate variability variables RMSSD (r = 0.37 p = 0.005) and SD1 (r = 0.37 p = 0.0059) (Figures 1) (showing parasympathetic integrity), and there was a negative correlation with the pretest walking heart rate with these same variables (r = -0.33 p = 0.014) and (r = -0.34 p = 0.015) Regarding the walking test, it was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.39 p = 0.003) and positive with time on hemodialysis (r = 0.27 p = 0.04) Conclusions Therefore, it is verified that the 6-minute walking test can be used to estimate autonomic dysfunction in hemodialysis patients and thus help in the screening of this dysfunction including the elaboration of treatment strategies.
Acceptability, side-effects and discontinuation of second and third-generation oral contraceptive pills in Bangladesh: A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Chowdhury Mahbub Elahi , Wamen Andrea Youta , Shiblee Shafayatul Islam , Alam Md. Mahbub Ul , Rahman Md Niajur , Huda Fauzia Akhter 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

The third-generation oral contraceptive pill (3G-OCP) has improved side-effect profile compared to the second-generation (2G-OCP). In Bangladesh, comparative data on these two generations of OCPs is nonexistent. This study aimed to compare acceptability, side-effects and discontinuation rates between 3G- and 2G-OCPs.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was conducted from October 2017 to June 2018 in two unions of one sub-district in Bangladesh. From each intervention and control unions, 1400 women were enrolled after screening for selection criteria. All the women in the intervention union received 3G-OCP while those in the control union had 2G-OCP. Women from both the groups were provided six cycles of OCPs, two at enrollment, and two each at two subsequent home-visits at 2-months apart by the health workers. Data was collected thrice: immediately after enrolment, and two subsequent follow-up visits at 2-months interval by the study interviewers. Life table analysis was done to compare cumulative discontinuation rates and Hazard Ratio (HR) was estimated for likelihood of discontinuation of 3G-OCP as compared to 2G-OCP due to side-effects.

Results

After 24-weeks of enrollment, 69.1% (n=967) of the women from the intervention and 58.0% (n=812) from the control group continued with the method. The major reason for discontinuation was pill use-related side-effects (3G-OCP: 20.4% vs. 2G-OCP: 19.5%). Initially, the reported side-effects for 3G-OCP were higher than those for 2G-OCP (47.3% vs. 33.2%). However, after 24-weeks of use, the corresponding figures became similar (9.5% vs. 8.7%). The cumulative discontinuation rate due to side-effects was 22.8% and 25.2% for 3G- and 2G-OCP respectively which was not statistically significant (p=0.14). After adjusting for potential covariates, the likelihood of discontinuation of 3G-OCP was 14% lower (HR=0.86, p=0.075) than 2G-OCP which was statically significant at 10% level. The study observed three deaths (one in intervention and two in control), of which one death in the control group was due to stroke.

Conclusion

The 3G-OCP was less likely to be discontinued than the 2G-OCP due to side effects. After 24-weeks of use the reported side-effects of the two types of OCPs was similar. However, one stroke-related-mortality due to use of 2G-OCP, demanded further larger studies.
The Causes of Infertility in Women Presenting to Gynaecology Clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe; A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Madziyire Mugove Gerald Gerald , Magwali Thulani Leslie , Chikwasha Vasco , Mhlanga Tinovimba 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Infertility affects 48.5 million couples globally. It is defined clinically as failure to conceive after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The contribution of various aetiological factors to infertility differs per population. The causes of infertility have not been assessed in Zimbabwe. Our objectives were to determine the reproductive characteristics, causes and outcomes of women presenting for infertility care.Methods A retrospective and prospective study of women who had not conceived within a year of having unprotected intercourse presenting in private and public facilities in Harare was done. A diagnosis was made based on the history, examination and results whenever these were deemed sufficient. Data was analysed using STATA SE/15.Results A total of 216 women were recruited. The mean age of the women was 32.9±5.7 years. Two thirds (144) of the women had primary infertility. The overall period of infertility ranged from 1-21 years with an average of 5.6±4.7 years whilst 98 (45.4%) of the couples had experienced 2-4 years of infertility and 94 (43.5%) had experience 5 or more years of infertility. About 1 in 5 of the women had irregular menstrual cycles with 10 of them having experienced amenorrhoea of at least 1 year. Almost half of the participants (49%) were overweight or obese. The most common cause for infertility was ‘unexplained’ in 22% of the women followed by tubal blockage in 20%, male factor in 19% and anovulation in 16%. Of the 49 (22.7%) women who conceived 21(9.7%) had a live birth while 23 (10.7%) had an ongoing pregnancy at the end of follow up. Thirty-seven (17.1%) had ART in the form of IVF/ICSI or IUI. Assisted Reproduction was significantly associated with conception.Conclusion Most women present when chances of natural spontaneous conception are considerably reduced. This study shows an almost equal contribution between tubal factors, male factor and unexplained infertility. Almost half of the causes are female factors constituted by tubal factors, anovulation and a mixture of the two. Improved access to ART will result in improved pregnancy rates. Programs should target comprehensive assessment of both partners and offer ART.