bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors’ Quality of Life
Authors: Liska Tayah M. , Kolen Angie 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Purpose As a result of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, many cancer survivors experience persistent physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that affect their quality of life. Physical activity has been identified as an intervention that may help to manage the side effects of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of physical activity on overall quality of life in adult cancer survivors.Methods One-on-one semi structured interviews were conducted in person or via telephone with 13 adult (≥18 yrs) cancer survivors who had completed cancer treatment.Results These cancer survivors described their physical activity as improving their physical functioning and mental health, as a means of positive social engagement, and adding positivity to their daily life.Conclusion These results support the role of physical activity to enhance cancer survivors’ quality of life regardless of the treatment(s) type, duration, or time since the end of active cancer treatment. Further research is warranted to (a) expand this research with a larger sample, (b) examine healthcare providers’ knowledge and application of exercise guidelines to cancer survivors in cancer care, and (c) explore implementation strategies for greater advocacy for healthcare providers to share the exercise recommendations with cancer survivors.
Identification of ATP2C1 mutations in the patients of Hailey-Hailey disease
Authors: li xiaoli , zhang dingwei , ding jiahui , li li , wang zhenghui 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Familial benign chronic pemphigus, also known as Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD), is a clinically rare bullous Dermatosis. However the mechanism has not been clarified. The study aim to detect novel mutations in exons of ATP2C1 gene in HHD patients; to explore the possible mechnism of HHD pathogenesis by examining the expression profile of hSPCA1, miR-203, p63, Notch1 and HKⅡ proteins in the skin lesions of HHD patients. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of HHD patients. All exons of ATP2C1 gene in HHD patients were amplified by PCR and the products were purified and sequenced. All related signaling proteins of interest were stained by using skin lesion tissues from HHD patients and miR-203 levels were also determined. Results: One synonymous mutation c.G2598A (in exon 26), one nonsense mutation c.C635A and two missense mutations c.C1286A (p.A429D) and c. A1931G (p. D644G) were identified. The nonsense mutation changed codon UCG to stop codon UAG, causing a premature polypeptide chain of the functional region A. The two missense mutations were located in the region P (phosphorylation region) and the Mn binding site of hSPCA1. The level of hSPCA1 was significantly decreased in HHD patients compared to the normal human controls, accompanied by an increase of miR-203 level and a decrease of p63 and HKⅡ levels. Conclusion: In our study, we found four mutations in HHD. Meanwhile we found increase of miR-203 level and a decrease of p63 and HKⅡ levels. In addition, Notch1, which was negatively regulated p63, is downregulated. These factors may be involved in the signaling pathways of HHD pathogenesis. Our data showed that both p63 and miR-203 may have significant regulatory effects on Notch1 in the skin.
Efficient production of myo-inositol in Escherichia coli through metabolic engineering
Authors: You Ran , Wang Lei , Shi Congrong , Chen Hao , Zhang Shasha , Hu Meirong , Tao Yong 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The biosynthesis of high value-added compounds using metabolically engineered strains has received wide attention in recent years. Myo-inositol (inositol), an important compound in the pharmaceutics, cosmetics and food industries, is usually produced from phytate via a harsh set of chemical reactions. Recombinant Escherichia coli strains have been constructed by metabolic engineering strategies to produce inositol, but with a low yield. The proper distribution of carbon flux between cell growth and inositol production is a major challenge for constructing an efficient inositol-synthesis pathway in bacteria. Construction of metabolically engineered E. coli strains with high stoichiometric yield of inositol is desirable.Results: In the present study, we designed an inositol-synthesis pathway from glucose with a theoretical stoichiometric yield of 1 mol inositol/mol glucose. Recombinant E. coli strains with high stoichiometric yield (>0.7 mol inositol/mol glucose) were obtained. Inositol was successfully biosynthesized after introducing two crucial enzymes: inositol-3-phosphate synthase (IPS) from Trypanosoma brucei, and inositol monophosphatase (IMP) from E. coli. Based on starting strains E. coli BW25113 (wild-type) and SG104 (ΔptsG::glk, ΔgalR::zglf, ΔpoxB::acs), a series of engineered strains for inositol production was constructed by deleting the key genes pgi, pfkA and pykF. Plasmid-based expression systems for IPS and IMP were optimized, and expression of the gene zwf was regulated to enhance the stoichiometric yield of inositol. The highest stoichiometric yield (0.96 mol inositol/mol glucose) was achieved from recombinant strain R15 (SG104, Δpgi, Δpgm, and RBSL5-zwf). Strain R04 (SG104 and Δpgi) reached high-density in a 1-L fermenter when using glucose and glycerol as a mixed carbon source. In scaled-up fed-batch bioconversion in situ using strain R04, 0.82 mol inositol/mol glucose was produced within 23 h, corresponding to a titer of 106.3 g/L (590.5 mM) inositol.Conclusions: The biosynthesis of inositol from glucose in recombinant E. coli was optimized by metabolic engineering strategies. The metabolically engineered E. coli strains represent a promising method for future inositol production. This study provides an essential reference to obtain a suitable distribution of carbon flux between glycolysis and inositol synthesis.
Ordinal outcome analysis improves the detection of between-hospital differences in outcome
Authors: Ceyisakar Iris E. , Leeuwen Nikki van , Dippel Diederik W.J. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Lingsma Hester F. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background There is a growing interest in assessment of the quality of hospital care, based on outcome measures. Many quality of care comparisons rely on binary outcomes, for example mortality rates. Due to low numbers, the observed differences in outcome are partly subject to chance. Methods We aimed to quantify the gain in efficiency by ordinal instead of binary outcome analyses for hospital comparisons. We analyzed patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke as examples. We sampled patients from two trials. We simulated ordinal and dichotomous outcomes based on the modified Rankin Scale (stroke) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (TBI) in scenarios with and without true differences between hospitals in outcome. The potential efficiency gain of ordinal outcomes, analyzed with ordinal logistic regression, compared to dichotomous outcomes, analyzed with binary logistic regression was expressed as the possible reduction in sample size while keeping the same statistical power to detect outliers. Results In the IMPACT study (8,799 patients in 265 hospitals, mean number of patients per hospital = 36), the analysis of the ordinal scale rather than the dichotomized scale (‘unfavorable outcome’), allowed for up to 32% less patients in the analysis without a loss of power. In the PRACTISE trial (1,657 patients in 12 hospitals, mean number of patients per hospital = 138), ordinal analysis allowed for 13% less patients. Compared to mortality, ordinal outcome analyses allowed for up to 37% to 63% less patients.Conclusions Ordinal analyses provide the statistical power of substantially larger studies which have been analyzed with dichotomization of endpoints. We advise to exploit ordinal outcome measures for hospital comparisons, in order to increase efficiency in quality of care measurements.
Climate change induced vulnerability and adaption for dengue incidence in Colombo and Kandy Districts: The first detailed investigation in Sri Lanka
Authors: Udayanga N.W.B.A.L. , Gunathilaka Nayana , Iqbal M.C.M. , Abeyewickreme W. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Assessing the vulnerability of an infectious disease such as dengue among endemic population is an important requirement to design proactive programmes in order to improve resilience capacity of vulnerable communities. Despite the significance in decision making process especially for rational resource allocation, the recognition of actual burden of dengue and the vulnerability towards dengue, has been limitedly addressed in many countries including Sri Lanka, due to deficiencies in a holistic methodology. Methods: A total of 42 variables (entomological, epidemiological, meteorological parameters, land-use practices and socio-demographic data) of all the 38 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas in the districts of Colombo and Kandy were considered as candidate variables for a composite index based vulnerability assessment. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used in selecting and setting the weight for each indicator. Exposure, Sensitivity, Adaptive Capacity and Vulnerability of all the MOH areas for dengue incidence were calculated. Results: Out of 42 candidate variables, only 23 parameters (Exposure Index: 6 variables; Sensitivity Index: 11 variables; Adaptive Capacity Index: 6 variables) were selected as indicators to assess climate change vulnerability to dengue. Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) MOH area denoted the highest values for exposure (0.89: exceptionally high exposure), sensitivity (0.86: exceptionally high sensitivity) in the district of Colombo, while Kandy Municipal Council (KMC) area reported the highest exposure (0.79: high exposure) and sensitivity (0.77: high sensitivity) in Kandy. Piliyandala MOH area denoted the highest level of adaptive capacity (0.66) in the district of Colombo followed by Menikhinna (0.68) in Kandy. The highest vulnerability (0.45: moderate vulnerability) to dengue was indicated from CMC and the lowest indicated from Galaha MOH (0.15; very low vulnerability) in Kandy. Interestingly the Kandy Municipal Council MOH area had a notable vulnerability of 0.41 (moderate vulnerability), which was the highest within Kandy. Conclusions: In general, vulnerability for dengue was relatively higher within the MOH areas of Colombo, than in Kandy, suggesting a higher degree of potential susceptibility to dengue within and among local communities of Colombo. The Vector Controlling Entities (VCE) are recommended to consider the spatial variations in vulnerability of local communities to dengue for decision making, especially in allocation of limited financial, human and mechanical resources for dengue epidemic management
Real-time Monitoring of Bacterial Biofilms Metabolic Activity by a Redox-Reactive Nanosensors Array
Authors: Patolsky Fernando , Krivitsky Vadim , Zverzhinetsky Marina , Davidi Ella Yeor 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Bacterial biofilms are communities of surface-associated microorganisms living in cellular clusters or micro-colonies, encapsulated in a complex matrix composed of an extracellular polymeric substance, separated by open water channels that act as a circulatory system that enable better diffusion of nutrients and easier removal of metabolic waste products. The monitoring of biofilms can provide important information on fundamental biofilm-related processes. That information can shed light on the bacterial processes and enable scientists to find ways of preventing future bacterial infections. Various approaches in use for biofilm analysis are based on microscopic, spectrochemical, electrochemical, and piezoelectrical methods. All these methods provide significant progress in understanding the bio-process related to biofilm formation and eradication, nevertheless, the development of novel approaches for the real-time monitoring of biochemical, in particular metabolic activity, of bacterial species during the formation, life and eradication of biofilms is of great potential importance. Results Here, detection and monitoring of the metabolic activity of bacterial biofilms in high-ionic-strength solutions were enabled as a result of novel surface modification by an active redox system, composed of 9,10-dihydroxyanthracene/9,10-anthraquinone, on the oxide layer of the SiNW, yielding a chemically-gated FET array. With the use of enzymatic reactions of oxidases, metabolites can be converted to Common.EditSubmissionSteps.Transform.EquationText and monitored by the nanosensors. Here, the successful detection of glucose metabolites in high-ionic-strength solutions, such as bacterial media, without pre-processing of small volume samples under different conditions and treatments, has been demonstrated. The biofilms were treated with antibiotics differing in their mechanisms of action and were compared to untreated biofilms. Further examination of biofilms under antibiotic treatment with SiNW-FET devices could shed light on the bioprocess that occurs within the biofilm. Moreover, finding proper treatment that eliminates the biofilm could be examined by the novel nanosensor as a monitoring tool. Conclusions To summarize, the combination of redox-reactive SiNW-FET devices with micro-fluidic techniques enables the performance of rapid, automated, and real-time metabolite detection with the use of minimal sample size, noninvasively and label-free. This novel platform can be used as an extremely sensitive tool for detection and establishing medical solutions for bacterial-biofilm eradication and for finding a proper treatment to eliminate biofilm contaminations. Moreover, the sensing system can be used as a research tool for further understanding of the metabolic processes that occur within the bacterial biofilm population.
The Diagnostic Value of SPECT/CT in Predicting the Occurrence of Osteonecrosis following Femoral Neck Fracture : a prospective cohort study
Authors: Yoon Jae Youn , Lee Soong Joon , Yoon Kang Sup , Yoon Pil Whan 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Backgrounds One of the most significant complications after a femoral neck fracture is osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). The concomitant use of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with computed tomography (CT) increases the sensitivity for detecting the anatomic location and severity of ONFH. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic value of SPECT/CT for the occurrence of ONFH by quantifying the perfusion status of the femoral head.Methods A total of 30 patients who had multiple pinnings for femur neck fractures were included in this study. We classified the perfusion status into three groups: normal perfusion, decreased perfusion, and avascular groups, and compared the occurrence of femoral head necrosis between them. For quantitative analysis, we evaluated the uptake ratio of both femur heads (head-to-head uptake ratio). If the patient’s contralateral hip was incomparable, we measured the uptake ratio from the superior dome of the ipsilateral acetabulum (head-to-acetabulum uptake ratio).Results Twenty-four patients out of 30 achieved bone union, whereas the others developed ONFH. When the population was divided into intact and defective perfusion groups on scintigraphy, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the test were 83.3%, 75.0%, and 76.7%, respectively. The mean head-to-head uptake ratio value with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.85 – 1.36). In the osteonecrosis group, the mean value of the head-to-head uptake ratio was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.28 – 0.38). In contrast, the ratio was 1.30 (95% CI: 1.03 – 1.57) in the non-osteonecrosis group, demonstrating a significant difference in the uptake ratio (P < 0.001). When the cutoff value of the uptake ratio was set to 0.5, both the sensitivity and specificity were 100%. There was also a significant difference in the head-to-acetabulum uptake ratio between the two groups (P < 0.001).Conclusions SPECT/CT was useful in evaluating the perfusion status of the femoral head, showing high accuracy in predicting the occurrence of avascular necrosis. To demonstrate the reliability and validity of SPECT/CT, further prospective studies on a larger scale are warranted.
The formation of perifoveal cysts in idiopathic macular holes and their relationship with retinal blood flow
Authors: Yang Ye , Hao Yuhua , Zhou Nalei , Xi Ruijie , Dai Li 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background : To study the formation and distribution of perifoveal cysts in an idiopathic macular hole and their correlation with retinal blood flow. Method: There were 16 patients in the small hole group, and 23 patients in the large hole group. In the preoperative procedure, we measured the number, the total area and the average size of the cysts in the inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform and Henle fiber layer complex around the hole; and the vascular density of the retinal capillary plexuses of all cases. Postoperatively, we measured the retinal capillary plexuses vascular density in 17 eyes. Results: The number and the total area of the cysts in the inner nuclear layer of the large hole group were greater than those of the small hole group (t=-2.882, P =0.007, t= -3.412 P =0.002). And we came to the same conclusion in the outer plexiform and Henle fiber layer complex (t=-3.935 P =0.000, t=-4.335 P =0.000). The average cystic area of the inner nuclear layer and outer plexiform and Henle fiber layer complex had no significant difference between the two groups (t=0.178 P =0.860, t=-1.767 P =0.085). There was a significant correlation among the idiopathic macular hole diameter, the number and the total area of cysts in the outer plexiform and Henle fiber layer complex, the vascular density of the retinal superficial capillary plexuses and deep capillary plexuses; the respective coefficients were -0.725, -0.474, -0.314, -0.768, and +0.624. Conclusions: 1. The diameter of the idiopathic macular hole was related to the formation of cysts around the hole. 2. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the interaction between the cystic space around the idiopathic macular hole and the retinal capillary plexuses.
The Sensitivity of a Honeybee Colony to Worker Mortality Depends on Season and Resource Availability
Authors: Lemanski Natalie J , Bansal Siddhant , Fefferman Nina H 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Honeybees have extraordinary phenotypic plasticity in their senescence rate, making them a fascinating model system for the evolution of aging. Seasonal variation in senescence and extrinsic mortality results in a tenfold increase in worker life expectancy in winter as compared to summer. To understand the evolution of this remarkable pattern of aging, we must understand how individual longevity scales up to effects on the entire colony. We develop a matrix model of colony demographics to ask how worker age-dependent and age-independent mortality affect colony fitness and how these effects differ by seasonal conditions.Results: We find that there are seasonal differences in honeybee colony sensitivity to both senescent and extrinsic worker mortality. Colonies are most sensitive to extrinsic (age-independent) nurse and forager mortality during periods of higher extrinsic mortality and resource availability but most sensitive to age-dependent mortality during periods of lower extrinsic mortality and lower resource availability.Conclusions: These results suggest that seasonal changes in the strength of selection on worker senescence partly explain the observed pattern of seasonal differences in worker aging in honey bees. More broadly, these results extend our understanding of the role of extrinsic mortality in the evolution of senescence to social animals.
Control of Panama Disease of Banana by Intercropping with Chinese Chive (Allium tuberosum Rottler): Cultivar Differences
Authors: Li Zhen-Fang , Wang Tong , He Chenlin , Cheng Kelin , Zeng Rensen , Song Yuanyuan 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Highlightsl Intercropping of banana with Chinese chive can effectively reduce Panama diseasel Selection of appropriate cultivars of Chinese chive for intercropping is criticall 2-Methyl-2-pentenal (MP) is the key compound for the pathogen inhibitionl MP content and antifungal activity are key indices for cultivar selectionBackground Panama disease (Fusarium wilt disease) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (FOC) severely threatens banana (Musa spp.) production worldwide. Intercropping of banana with Allium plants has shown a potential to reduce Panama disease. In this study six cultivars of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum Rottler) were selected to compare their differences in antifungal activity and active compounds. Three cultivars Duokang Fujiu 11, Fujiuhuang 2, and Duokang Sijiqing with higher levels of antifungal compounds were further used for intercropping with banana in the pots and field to compare their effects on growth and disease incidence of banana. Methods and Results The six cultivars showed significant differences in antifungal activity against FOC mycelia growth in both leaf volatiles and aqueous leachates. The aqueous leachates displayed stronger antifungal activity than the volatiles. Contents of three main antifungal compounds dipropyl trisulfide (DPT), dimethyl trisulfide (DMT), and 2-methyl-2-pentenal (MP) in volatiles and aqueous leachates varied considerably among cultivars. Pot and field experiments showed that intercropping with three selected Chinese chive cultivars significantly improved banana vegetative growth, increased photosynthetic characteristics and yield but decreased disease incidence of Panama disease.Conclusions Our results indicate that intercropping with Chinese chive shows potential to reduce banana Panama disease and selection of appropriate cultivars is vital for effective disease control.
Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block on Postoperative Recovery of Gastrointestinal Function in Patients Undergoing Surgery with General Anaesthesia: A Meta-Analysis.
Authors: Wen Bei , Wang Yajie , Zhang Cong , Fu Zhijian 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The return of normal gastrointestinal function is an important signal of postoperative recovery in patients undergoing surgery with general anaesthesia, especially for abdominal surgery. Current methods to resolve this problem are conservative, and the effects are sometimes limited. We aimed to summarize the effects of stellate ganglion block(SGB) on the recovery of gastrointestinal function to explore methods for anaesthesiologists to contribute to postoperative patient recovery. RuMethods: Selected databases were searched for relevant studies. Study quality was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias. Data extraction was performed independently. The time to peristaltic sound resumption, flatus, postoperative eating and the incidence and degree of abdominal bloating were compared between stellate ganglion and control groups. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager software. Results: In total, 281 studies were identified after searching for relevant articles, and five articles with data for 274 patients were eligible for this analysis. Regarding postoperative flatus time, SGB caused a mean reduction of 15 hours for different surgeries; after excluding a study causing heterogeneity, the mean reduction was still more than 6 hours. For gastrointestinal surgery, the mean reduction was approximately an entire day. When evaluating the recovery of peristaltic sounds in different surgeries, SGB promoted the recovery of regular bowl sounds by an average of 14.67 hours earlier than the control. With regard to nutrients, SGB shortened the total parenteral nutrition time by more than 50 hours in gastrointestinal surgery. Finally, SGB prevented the occurrence of postoperative abdominal bloating without influencing its degree. No complications related to SGB were reported. Conclusion: SGB promotes postoperative gastrointestinal recovery in patients undergoing different surgeries with general anaesthesia.