bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in the crypt stem cell compartment mediates intestinal mucosal growth
Authors: Greig Chasen J , Armenia Sarah J , Cowles Robert A 
Published: July 2020

Maintenance of the highly plastic intestinal epithelium relies upon stem cells localized to intestinal crypts. Recent evidence suggests muscarinic acetylcholine signaling impacts epithelial barrier function, proliferation, and apoptosis. We hypothesized that the intestinal crypt base would express specific muscarinic acetylcholine receptors that drive proliferation in this critical region. Intestinal segments spanning the small bowel were procured from wild-type C57Bl/6 mice to determine muscarinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA expression and create sections on laser capture microdissection slides for analysis of crypt base cells. RT-PCR was performed using primers targeting the five muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes (M1–M5), LGR5, BIII-tubulin, and GAPDH. To determine the effects of muscarinic agonism in vivo, osmotic pumps delivering the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist McN-A-343 were implanted into wild type mice for one week. Segments were harvested, histologic sections created, and morphometric and proliferative parameters measured. In full-thickness intestinal samples, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes M1–M4 were found in all regions, while M5 was localized to the proximal jejunum. In crypt-base cells, the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype was the only subtype found and was present in all regions. LGR5 was present in all laser capture microdissection samples, indicating the capture of intestinal stem cells. In vivo experiments conducted with McN-A-343 revealed significantly increased villus height, crypt depth, and crypt-cell proliferation. The presence of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA within the stem cell niche in the intestinal crypt base coupled with increased mucosal growth with M1 receptor stimulation in vivo suggests that the cholinergic system, via the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, is a critical mediator of intestinal mucosal homeostasis. Impact statement Localization of a specific subtype of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in the crypt stem cell compartment suggests a critical role in intestinal mucosal homeostasis. Here we demonstrate the localization of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor to the stem cell compartment and demonstrate increase morphometric and proliferative parameters when this is stimulated in vivo. These data provide novel information about this complex signaling microenvironment and offer potential future therapeutic targets for future study.
Synthesis of Various Size Gold Nanoparticles by Chemical Reduction Method with Different Solvent Polarity
Authors: Hussain Mohamed Hasaan , Abu Bakar Noor Fitrah , Mustapa Ana Najwa , Low Kim-Fatt , Othman Nur Hidayati , Adam Fatmawati 
Published: July 2020

AbstractComplicated and strict protocols are followed to tune the size of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in chemical synthesis methods. In this study, we address the polarity of solvents as a tool for tailoring the size of GNPs in the chemical reduction method. The effects of varying polarity index of the reaction medium on synthesizing gold nanoparticles by chemical reduction method have been investigated. Ethanol as a polar solvent, ethanol–water mixture as reaction medium, L-ascorbic acid as reducing agent, and polyvinylpyrrolidone as stabilizer were used to synthesize GNPs. The polarity index of the reaction medium was adjusted by changing the volume ratio of ethanol to water. UV–Vis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations reveal that the growth of nanoparticles was gradually increased (~ 22 to 219 nm hydrodynamic diameter) with decreasing value of polarity index of the reaction medium (~ 8.2 to 5.2). Furthermore, the high polarity index of the reaction medium produced smaller and spherical nanoparticles, whereas lower polarity index of reaction medium results in bigger size of GNPs with different shapes. These results imply that the mechanistic of the growth, assembly, and aggregation phenomena of ligand or stabilizer-capped GNPs strongly rely on the polarity of solvent molecules. Using the proposed methodology, wide size range of GNPs with different morphology sizes can be synthesized by simply modulating the volume percentage of organic solvent in the reaction medium.
Modified paramedian versus conventional paramedian technique in the residency training: an observational study
Authors: Chen Shih-Hong , Chen Shiou-Sheng , Lai Chao-Lun , Su Fang-Ying , Tzeng I-Shiang , Chen Li-Kuei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundResidency training includes positive and negative aspects. Well-trained doctors must be educated, but the process may bring additional risks to patients. Anesthesiologists’ performance when conducting neuraxial anesthesia is related to their experience. We hypothesized that a modified neuraxial anesthesia method would improve both residency training and patient safety.MethodsWe recruited 518 patients who were scheduled for a cesarean section and used spinal anesthesia (n = 256), epidural anesthesia (n = 154), and combined spinal–epidural anesthesia (SEA;n = 108). We observed and evaluated the anesthesia performance of five second-year resident anesthesiologists in elective cesarean sections using the conventional and modified methods. The number of attempts, implant error rate, and the incidence of complications were recorded and analyzed.ResultsBetter success puncture attempts occurred in all three groups when the modified method was applied. For the groups with an implant assessment, the complication rate and implant error rate were lower when using the modified method. We employed generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis to correct for possible confounding factors. When using the conventional method, the resident anesthesiologists required more attempts, made more implant errors, and caused more complications in patients.ConclusionsWe found that a modified method for neuraxial anesthesia could improve residency performance and patient safety. The modified method may be a suitable training process for resident anesthesiologists when practicing neuraxial anesthesia.Trial registrationThe study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of National Taiwan University (IRB:200812040R) Clinicaltrials register:NCT03389672.
Haemato-immunological responses and effectiveness of feed-based bivalent vaccine against Streptococcus iniae and Aeromonas hydrophila infections in hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus)
Authors: Monir Md Shirajum , Yusoff Sabri bin Mohd , Zulperi Zarirah binti Mohamed , Hassim Hasliza binti Abu , Mohamad Aslah , Ngoo Muhamad Sofie bin Mohd Hafiz , Ina-Salwany Md Yasin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundStreptococcosis and Motile Aeromonad Septicemia (MAS) are important diseases of tilapia,Oreochromisspp. and causes huge economic losses in aquaculture globally. The feed-based vaccination may be an alternative to minimize major infectious diseases in tilapia. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the haemato-immunological responses and effectiveness of a newly developed feed-based killed bivalent vaccine againstStreptococcus iniaeandAeromonas hydrophilain hybrid red tilapia. A total of 495 hybrid red tilapia of 61.23 ± 4.95 g were distributed into 5 groups (each with triplicate). The fish were immunized orally through bivalent (combinedS. iniaeandA. hydrophila) spray vaccine (BS group), bivalent formulate vaccine (BF group), monovalentS. iniaevaccine (MS group), monovalentA. hydrophilavaccine (MA group) and unvaccinated as a control group. The vaccine was orally administered on days 0, 14 and 42 applied feed-based bacterin at 5% body weight. The blood and spleen samples were collected from all groups on 7, 21 and 49 days post-vaccination, and also 96 h post-infection to assess their haemato-immune responses.ResultsCompared with the unvaccinated group, leukocyte, lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes counts in vaccinated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) increased on 21, 49 days post-vaccination and also 96 h post-infection, while erythrocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit in vaccinated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced only 96 h post-infection. Additionally, the lysozyme and phagocytic activity and, serum antibody (IgM) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) againstS. iniaeandA. hydrophilain vaccinated groups compared to the unvaccinated group in the pre- and post-infection. Results from the challenge through co-infection withS. iniaeandA. hydrophilashowed the relative percent survival (RPS) in BF group was 76.67 ± 4.71%, which had the capacity to induce significant protection (P < 0.05) compared to others groups.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the bivalent formulate (BF) group could elicit significant non-specific and specific immunological responses with higher protection in hybrid red tilapia. In addition, this newly developed feed-based bivalent vaccination can be a promising technique for effective and large scale fish immunization in the aquaculture industry.
Development of a computer-based quantification method for immunohistochemically-stained tissues and its application to study mast cells in equine wound healing (proof of concept)
Authors: Dubuc Valérie , Laverty Sheila , Richard Hélène , Doré Monique , Theoret Christine 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is a growing interest in the scientific community to use computer-based software programs for the quantification of cells during physiological and pathophysiological processes. Drawbacks of computer-based methods currently used to quantify immunohistochemical staining are the complexity of use, expense of software and overly-simplified descriptions of protocol thereby limiting reproducibility. The precise role of mast cells in equine cutaneous wound healing is unknown. Given the contribution of mast cells to the chronic inflammation observed in human keloid, a pathology similar to exuberant granulation tissue (EGT) in horses, mast cells might be present in high numbers in equine limb wounds predisposed to EGT. The main goal of this study was to develop a reliable and reproducible quantification method for immunostained tissues using a computer software that is widely available, at no cost, to the scientific community. A secondary goal was to conduct a proof of concept using the newly-established method to quantify mast cells during wound healing at different anatomical sites (body and limb) in horses to see if a different pattern is observed in limb wounds, which are predisposed to EGT.ResultsA good intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, 0.67p < 0.05) was found between the computer-based ImageJ method and manual counting. An excellent intra-operator ICC of 0.90 (p < 0.01) was found for the ImageJ quantification method while a good interoperator ICC of 0.69 (p < 0.01) was measured. No significant difference was observed between the variation of the ImageJ and that of the manual counting method. Mast cells were localized below the epidermis, around cutaneous appendages and blood vessels. Mast cell numbers did not differ significantly in relation to anatomical location or time of healing.ConclusionsThe computer-based quantification method developed is reliable, reproducible, available, cost-free and could be used to study different physiological and pathological processes using immunohistochemistry.
Management of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck: a single-institute study with over 25-year follow-up
Authors: Ishida Eiichi , Ogawa Takenori , Rokugo Masahiro , Ishikawa Tomohiko , Wakamori Shun , Ohkoshi Akira , Usubuchi Hajime , Higashi Kenjiro , Ishii Ryo , Nakanome Ayako , Katori Yukio 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor arising from exocrine glands such as the major and minor salivary glands of the paranasal sinuses or the external auditory canal. Although multiple retrospective clinical studies of ACC have been reported to date, clinical questions, such as 1) long-term prognosis beyond 20 years, 2) usefulness and suitability for treatment of therapeutic interventions, 3) therapeutic goal to aim for, and 4) prognosis by recurrence sites, are still unclear.

Methods
To improve understanding and management of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (ACC), a retrospective study with 58 new ACC cases between 1991 and 2016 was performed. The median observation period was 66.8 months (range 3–316 months). The overall clinical stages were as follows: I, 6.9%; II, 25.9%; III, 19.0%; and IV, 48.2%. Histology was cribriform/tubular type (C-T type) in 62.0% and solid type in 27.5%. The main treatment strategy was definitive surgery, which was performed in 75.2% of cases.

Results
Overall 10-year, 20-year, and 25-year survivals were 63.7, 27.3, and 20.0%, respectively. Similarly, disease-specific survival (DSSs) was 65.7, 51.2, and 38.4%, respectively, and disease-free survival was 25.2, 9.4, and 9.4%, respectively. Conducting surgery (HR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06–0.61, p = 0.005) and C-T type (HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11–0.93, p = 0.036) were independent prognostic predictors of DSS. DSS was significantly prolonged after salvage surgery for both locoregional recurrence (p = 0.004) and lung metastatic recurrence (p = 0.012, vs best supportive care).

Conclusions
In ACC cases, both initial surgical treatment and repetitive surgical resection of resectable recurrent lesions, including both locoregional and lung metastases, resulted in longer survival. The major goal of treatment for ACC may be long-term survival including cancer-bearing survival, resulting in either natural death or intercurrent-disease death, since judging cure of ACC is almost impossible.

Trial registration
Retrospectively registered.
Histopathological findings in a COVID-19 patient affected by ischemic gangrenous cholecystitis
Authors: Bruni Andrea , Garofalo Eugenio , Zuccalà Valeria , Currò Giuseppe , Torti Carlo , Navarra Giuseppe , De Sarro Giovambattista , Navalesi Paolo , Longhini Federico , Ammendola Michele 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Since its first documentation, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection has emerged worldwide, with the consequent declaration of a pandemic disease (COVID-19). Severe forms of acute respiratory failure can develop. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 may affect organs other than the lung, such as the liver, with frequent onset of late cholestasis. We here report the histological findings of a COVID-19 patient, affected by a tardive complication of acute ischemic and gangrenous cholecystitis with a perforated and relaxed gallbladder needing urgent surgery.

Case presentation
A 59-year-old Caucasian male, affected by acute respiratory failure secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection was admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU). Due to the severity of the disease, invasive mechanical ventilation was instituted and SARS-CoV-2 treatment (azithromycin 250 mg once-daily and hydroxychloroquine 200 mg trice-daily) started. Enoxaparin 8000 IU twice-daily was also administered subcutaneously. At day 8 of ICU admission, the clinical condition improved and patient was extubated. At day 32, patient revealed abdominal pain without signs of peritonism at examination, with increased inflammatory and cholestasis indexes at blood tests. At a first abdominal CT scan, perihepatic effusion and a relaxed gallbladder with dense content were detected. The surgeon decided to wait and see the evolution of clinical conditions. The day after, conditions further worsened and a laparotomic cholecystectomy was performed. A relaxed and perforated ischemic gangrenous gallbladder, with a local tissue inflammation and perihepatic fluid, was intraoperatively met. The gallbladder and a sample of omentum, adherent to the gallbladder, were also sent for histological examination.
Hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides display inflammatory infiltration and endoluminal obliteration of vessels, with wall breakthrough, hemorrhagic infarction, and nerve hypertrophy of the gallbladder.
The mucosa of the gallbladder appears also atrophic. Omentum vessels also appear largely thrombosed. Immunohistochemistry demonstrates an endothelial overexpression of medium-size vessels (anti-CD31), while not in micro-vessels, with a remarkable activity of macrophages (anti-CD68) and T helper lymphocytes (anti-CD4) against gallbladder vessels. All these findings define a histological diagnosis of vasculitis of the gallbladder.

Conclusions
Ischemic gangrenous cholecystitis can be a tardive complication of COVID-19, and it is characterized by a dysregulated host inflammatory response and thrombosis of medium-size vessels.
Characteristics of persistent hotspots of Schistosoma mansoni in western Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Assaré Rufin K. , N’Tamon Roméo N. , Bellai Louise G. , Koffi Judicaelle A. , Mathieu Tra-Bi I. , Ouattara Mamadou , Hürlimann Eveline , Coulibaly Jean T. , Diabaté Salia , N’Goran Eliézer K. , Utzinger Jürg 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel is the cornerstone of schistosomiasis control. However, in some social-ecological settings, the prevalence and/or intensity of Schistosoma infection does not lower meaningfully despite multiple rounds of preventive chemotherapy, a phenomenon termed persistent hotspot (PHS). We assessed the characteristics of PHS in a Schistosoma mansoni-endemic area of Côte d’Ivoire.

Methods
In October 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 14 schools in the western part of Côte d’Ivoire, one year after multiple rounds of preventive chemotherapy. In each school, 50 children aged 9–12 years provided two stool samples and one urine sample. Stool samples were subjected to triplicate Kato-Katz thick smears for S. mansoni diagnosis. Urine samples were examined by a filtration method for S. haematobium eggs. PHS was defined as failure to achieve a reduction in the prevalence of S. mansoni infection of at least 35% and/or a reduction of infection intensity of at least 50%. Six schools underwent more detailed investigations, including a questionnaire survey for demographic characteristics and a malacological survey.

Results
In the six schools subjected to detailed investigations, the overall prevalence of S. mansoni and S. haematobium was 9.5% and 2.6%, respectively. Four schools were classified as PHS. The S. mansoni prevalence in the four PHS was 10.9% compared to 6.6% in the remaining two schools. The S. mansoni infection intensity, expressed as arithmetic mean eggs per gram of stool (EPG) among infected children, was 123.8 EPG in PHS and 18.7 EPG in the other two schools. Children bathing in open freshwater bodies were at higher odds of S. mansoni infection (odds ratio: 4.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.6–12.6). A total of 76 human-water contact sites (53 in PHS and 23 in the other schools) were examined and 688 snails were collected, including potential intermediate host snails of Schistosoma (Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus forskalii, Bu. globosus and Bu. truncatus).

Conclusion
Children in PHS schools bathed more frequently in open freshwater bodies, and hence, they are more exposed to Schistosoma transmission. Our findings call for an integrated control approach, complementing preventive chemotherapy with other interventions, particularly in PHS settings.
Association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients without a related family history
Authors: Wang Jin-Rui , Chen Zhongli , Yang Ke , Yang Hui-Jun , Tao Wen-Yu , Li Yi-Ping , Jiang Ze-Jia , Bai Chao-Fang , Yin Yue-Chuan , Duan Jian-Mei , Zhou Yuan-Yuan , Geng Xin-Qian , Yang Ying 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a specific neurovascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Clinically, family history is a widely recognized risk factor for DR, assisting diagnosis and risk strata. However, among a great amount of DR patients without hereditary history like hypertension and diabetes, direct and simple risk factors to assist clinical decisions are still required. Herein, we intend to investigate the associated risk factors for these DR patients based on systemic inflammatory response indexes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR).MethodsWe consecutively enrolled 1030 patients with a definite diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from the endocrinology department of the Second hospital of People in Yun Nan. Based on funduscopy and family history checking, we excluded patients with a family history of hypertension and diabetes and finally enrolled 264 patients with DR and 206 patients with non-diabetic retinopathy (NDR). Through correlation analysis, univariate and multivariate regression, we further explore the association between NLR, PLR, and DR. On top of that, we investigate the effect of NLR and PLR on risk reclassification of DR.ResultsCompared with NDR patients, NLR and PLR levels are significantly higher among DR patients (NLR: 2.36 ± 1.16 in DR group versus 1.97 ± 1.06 in NDR group, p < 0.001; PLR: 11.62 ± 4.55 in DR group versus10.56 ± 4.45 in NDR group, p = 0.012). According to univariate analysis, NLR and PLR add risks to DR. After fully adjusting co-founders, NLR, as both continuous and categorical variate, remains an independent risk factor for DR (OR (95%CI): 1.37 (1.06, 1.78) P = 0.018). And though PLR was not independently associated with DR as a continuous variable (OR (95%CI) 1.05 (0.99, 1.11) p = 0.135), the highest quantile of PLR add two-fold increased risk (OR (95%CI) 2.20 (1.05, 4.59) p = 0.037) in the fully adjusted model for DR. In addition, addition of PLR and NLR to the established factor hemoglobin (Hb) improved the discriminability of the model and assisted the reclassification of DR. After combining PLR and NLR the Area under curve (AUC) of Hb based model raised from 0.76 to 0.78, with a category-free net reclassification improvement (NRI) of 0.532 (p < 0.001) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) of 0.029 (p < 0.001).ConclusionsSystemic inflammatory response indexes NLR and PLR were associated with the presence of DR among patients without associated family history and contributed to improvements in reclassification of DR in addition to Hb.
Analysis of medico-social factors for return to work among patients presenting with haematological malignancy (adamantine): results of a ‘pilot study’
Authors: Clin Bénédicte , Heutte Natacha , Boulanger Mathilde , Troussard Xavier , Cornet Edouard , Damaj Ghandi Laurent , Bouvier Véronique , Guizard Anne-Valérie , Launoy Guy , Licaj Idlir 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to describe return to work determinants in patients with haematological malignancy.

Results
This medico-social pilot study included patients with haematological malignancy in the département of Calvados, aged 18 to 55 years, diagnosed between 1st January and 31st December 2010 and alive at 1st January 2015. Patients were identified via consultation of the Lower Normandy haematological malignancy Registry. They completed a specially developed self-questionnaire, in addition to validated questionnaires for anxiety-depression, quality of life and fatigue. Of the patients contacted, 50% accepted to participate. The mean age at diagnosis was 49.8 years, and the majority of patients (79.2%) was professionally active at the time of diagnosis. Only 64.9% of subjects had stopped work due to illness. The psychological impact (demonstrated anxiety) was significantly greater in men (p = 0.01). The majority of subjects returned to work after treatment (80.7%) and among them, the mean duration of absence from work was 16.1 months. Only 52.6% of subjects had informed their occupational physician and 56.7% had benefited from a pre-return visit. The satisfactory response rate obtained is promising for the extension of the present project as a prospective multicentric study.