bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrated virtual and cadaveric dissection laboratories enhance first year medical students’ anatomy experience: a pilot study
Authors: Darras Kathryn E. , Spouge Rebecca , Hatala Rose , Nicolaou Savvas , Hu Jeff , Worthington Anne , Krebs Claudia , Forster Bruce B. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundRadiology integration into medical anatomy courses is well established, but there is a paucity of literature on integrating virtual dissection into cadaveric dissection laboratories. Virtual dissection is the digital dissection of medical images on touchscreen anatomy visualization tables. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of integrating virtual dissection into a first-year medical cadaver-based anatomy course and to assess students’ overall attitude towards this new technology.MethodsAll students in first-year medicine at a single medical school participated in this study (n = 292). Six virtual dissection laboratories, which focused on normal anatomy, were developed and integrated into a cadaver-based anatomy course. The virtual dissection table (VDT) was also integrated into the final anatomy spot exam. Following the course, students completed a short evidence-informed survey which was developed using a theoretical framework for curriculum evaluation. Numerical data were tabulated, and qualitative content analysis was performed on students’ unstructured comments.ResultsThe survey response rate was 69.2% (n = 202/292). Most (78.7%) students reported that virtual dissection enhanced their understanding of the cadaveric anatomy and the clinical applications of anatomy. Most (73.8%) students also felt that the VDT was an effective use of the laboratory time. Thirteen narrative comments were collected, most of which (61.5%) identified strengths of the curriculum.ConclusionsIn this pilot study, students perceived that their learning was enhanced when virtual dissection was combined with a cadaver-based anatomy laboratory. This study demonstrates that there is potential for virtual dissection to augment cadaveric dissection in medical education.
Quality of antenatal care and associated factors in a rural county in Kenya: an assessment of service provision and experience dimensions
Authors: Afulani Patience A. , Buback Laura , Essandoh Francisca , Kinyua Joyceline , Kirumbi Leah , Cohen Craig R. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to assess the quality of antenatal care (ANC) women received in Migori county, Kenya—including both service provision and experience dimensions—and to examine factors associated with each dimension.

Methods
We used survey data collected in 2016 in Migori county from 1031 women aged 15–49 who attended ANC at least once in their most recent pregnancy. ANC quality service provision was measured by nine questions on receipt of recommended ANC services, and experience of care by 18 questions on information, communication, dignity, and facility environment. We summed the responses to the individual items to generate ANC service provision and experience of care scores. We used both linear and logistic regression to examine predictors.

Results
The average service provision score was 10.9 (SD = 2.4) out of a total of 16. Most women received some recommended services once, but not at the frequency recommended by the Kenyan Ministry of Health. About 90% had their blood pressure measured, and 78% had a urine test, but only 58 and 14% reported blood pressure monitoring and urine test, respectively, at every visit. Only 16% received an ultrasound at any time during ANC. The average experience score is 27.3 (SD = 8.2) out of a total score of 42, with key gaps demonstrated in communication. About half of women were not educated on pregnancy complications. Also, about one-third did not often understand the purposes of tests and medicines received and did not feel able to ask questions to the health care provider. In multivariate analysis, women who were literate, employed, and who received all their ANC in a health center had higher experiences scores than women who were illiterate (coefficient = 1.52, CI:0.26,2.79), unemployed (coefficient = 2.73, CI:1.46,4.00), and received some ANC from a hospital (coefficient = 1.99, CI: 0.84, 3.14) respectively. The wealthiest women had two times higher odds of receiving an ultrasound than the poorest women (OR = 2.00, CI:1.20,3.33).

Conclusion
Quality of ANC is suboptimal in both service provision and experience domains, with disparities by demographic and socioeconomic factors and facility type. More efforts are needed to improve quality of ANC and to eliminate the disparities.
A prospective risk assessment of the implementation of a schistosomiasis preventive mass drug administration for children aged five years and below in the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Ncube Mhlengi Vella , Chimbari Moses John 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Schistosomiasis is endemic in the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The South Africa Department of Health (DoH) has decided to implement a schistosomiasis preventive mass drug administration program in all affected parts of the country. Quality management is part of the strategic objectives of the treatment program. We conducted a risk assessment and developed guidelines for the quality management of a schistosomiasis preventive treatment program for children aged 5 years and below in the uMkhanyakude District of KwaZulu-Natal.

Methods
We conducted a scenario planning exercise by interviewing 10 child health experts from the uMkhanyakude Health District to establish potential risks associated with a planned schistosomiasis preventive control treatment program for children aged 5 years old and below. The risks were analyzed using a modified Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). An FMEA table was produced to guide the quality management of the planned schistosomiasis preventive control treatment program for children aged 5 years and below in the uMkhanyakude Health District.

Results
We identified potential risks, failure modes and possible failure corrective/preventive measures in the following activities that would be part of the mass treatment of children aged 5 years and below infected with schistosomiasis in the uMkhanyakude District. These included enrolment of children into the treatment program; general health checks; weight and height measurements; administration of drugs; reporting of side effects and monitoring and evaluation.

Conclusion
We were able to use FMEA guide quality management and identify potential risks associated with the planned schistosomiasis preventive treatment program for children aged 5 years old and below in the uMkhanyakude District of KwaZulu-Natal. The FMEA for this program will be useful to the quality management of schistosomiasis preventive treatment programs for this age group in other similar settings.
miR-190-5p in human diseases
Authors: Yu Yue , Cao Xu-Chen 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
miRNAs, a major class of small noncoding RNAs approximately 18–25 nucleotides in length, function by repressing the expression of target genes through binding to complementary sequences in the 3′-UTRs of target genes. Emerging evidence has highlighted their important roles in numerous diseases, including human cancers. Recently, miR-190 has been shown to be dysregulated in various types of human cancers that participates in cancer-related biological processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, drug resistance, by regulating associated target genes, and to predict cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, we summarized the roles of miR-190-5p in human diseases, especially in human cancers. Then we classified its target genes in tumorigenesis and progression, which might provide evidence for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, promising tools for cancer treatment, or leads for further investigation.
BLV: lessons on vaccine development
Authors: Abdala Alejandro , Alvarez Irene , Brossel Hélène , Calvinho Luis , Carignano Hugo , Franco Lautaro , Gazon Hélène , Gillissen Christelle , Hamaidia Malik , Hoyos Clotilde , Jacques Jean-Rock , Joris Thomas , Laval Florent , Petersen Marcos , Porquet Florent , Porta Natalia , Ruiz Vanesa , Safari Roghaiyeh , Suárez Archilla Guillermo , Trono Karina , Willems Luc 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Vaccination against retroviruses is a challenge because of their ability to stably integrate into the host genome, undergo long-term latency in a proportion of infected cells and thereby escape immune response. Since clearance of the virus is almost impossible once infection is established, the primary goal is to achieve sterilizing immunity. Besides efficacy, safety is the major issue since vaccination has been associated with increased infection or reversion to pathogenicity. In this review, we discuss the different issues that we faced during the development of an efficient vaccine against bovine leukemia virus (BLV). We summarize the historical failures of inactivated vaccines, the efficacy and safety of a live-attenuated vaccine and the economical constraints of further industrial development.
Mitsui-7, heat-treated, and nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes elicit genotoxicity in human lung epithelial cells
Authors: Siegrist Katelyn J. , Reynolds Steven H. , Porter Dale W. , Mercer Robert R. , Bauer Alison K. , Lowry David , Cena Lorenzo , Stueckle Todd A. , Kashon Michael L. , Wiley John , Salisbury Jeffrey L. , Mastovich John , Bunker Kristin , Sparrow Mark , Lupoi Jason S. , Stefaniak Aleksandr B. , Keane Michael J. , Tsuruoka Shuji , Terrones Mauricio , McCawley Michael , Sargent Linda M. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
The unique physicochemical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have led to many industrial applications. Due to their low density and small size, MWCNT are easily aerosolized in the workplace making respiratory exposures likely in workers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer designated the pristine Mitsui-7 MWCNT (MWCNT-7) as a Group 2B carcinogen, but there was insufficient data to classify all other MWCNT. Previously, MWCNT exposed to high temperature (MWCNT-HT) or synthesized with nitrogen (MWCNT-ND) have been found to elicit attenuated toxicity; however, their genotoxic and carcinogenic potential are not known. Our aim was to measure the genotoxicity of MWCNT-7 compared to these two physicochemically-altered MWCNTs in human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B & SAEC).

Results
Dose-dependent partitioning of individual nanotubes in the cell nuclei was observed for each MWCNT material and was greatest for MWCNT-7. Exposure to each MWCNT led to significantly increased mitotic aberrations with multi- and monopolar spindle morphologies and fragmented centrosomes. Quantitative analysis of the spindle pole demonstrated significantly increased centrosome fragmentation from 0.024–2.4 μg/mL of each MWCNT. Significant aneuploidy was measured in a dose-response from each MWCNT-7, HT, and ND; the highest dose of 24 μg/mL produced 67, 61, and 55%, respectively. Chromosome analysis demonstrated significantly increased centromere fragmentation and translocations from each MWCNT at each dose. Following 24 h of exposure to MWCNT-7, ND and/or HT in BEAS-2B a significant arrest in the G1/S phase in the cell cycle occurred, whereas the MWCNT-ND also induced a G2 arrest. Primary SAEC exposed for 24 h to each MWCNT elicited a significantly greater arrest in the G1 and G2 phases. However, SAEC arrested in the G1/S phase after 72 h of exposure. Lastly, a significant increase in clonal growth was observed one month after exposure to 0.024 μg/mL MWCNT-HT & ND.

Conclusions
Although MWCNT-HT & ND cause a lower incidence of genotoxicity, all three MWCNTs cause the same type of mitotic and chromosomal disruptions. Chromosomal fragmentation and translocations have not been observed with other nanomaterials. Because in vitro genotoxicity is correlated with in vivo genotoxic response, these studies in primary human lung cells may predict the genotoxic potency in exposed human populations.
Anti-tumor effects of the ethanolic extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii seeds in colorectal cancer
Authors: Park Su Mi , Jeon Sang Kyu , Kim Ok Hyeon , Ahn Jung Yun , Kim Chang-Hyun , Park Sun-Dong , Lee Ju-Hee 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Trichosanthis semen, the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms, has long been used in Korean medicine to loosen bowels and relieve chronic constipation. Although the fruits and radixes of this medicinal herb and their constituents have been reported to exhibit therapeutic effects in various cancers, the anti-cancer effects of its seeds have been relatively less studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of T. kirilowii seeds (TKSE) against colorectal cancer and its mechanism.

Methods
The anti-tumor effects of the TKSE were evaluated in HT-29 and CT-26 colorectal cancer cells and in a CT-26 tumor-bearing mouse model.

Results
TKSE suppressed the growth of HT-29 and CT-26 cells (both colorectal cancer cell lines) and the cytotoxic effect of TKSE was greater than that of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) in HT-29 cells. TKSE significantly induced mitochondrial membrane potential loss in HT-29 and CT-26 cells and dose-dependently inhibited Bcl-2 expression and induced the cleavages of caspase-3 and PARP. In particular, TKSE at 300 µg/mL induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, TKSE dose-dependently inhibited activations of the Akt/mTOR and ERK pathways, and markedly induced the phosphorylation of AMPK. An AMPKα inhibitor (compound C) effectively blocked the TKSE-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, TKSE attenuated the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway in HT-29 cells under hypoxic-mimic conditions and inhibited migration and invasion. Oral administration of TKSE (100 or 300 mg/kg) inhibited tumor growth in a mouse CT-26 allograft model but was not as effective as 5-Fu (the positive control), which was administered intraperitoneally. In the same model, 5-Fu caused significant body weight loss, but no such loss was observed in TKSE-treated mice.

Conclusion
Taken together, these results suggest TKSE has potent anti-tumor effects which might be partly due to the activation of AMPK, and the induction mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. These findings provide scientific evidence supporting the potential use of TKSE as a complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
CyclinD1 inhibits dicer and crucial miRNA expression by chromatin modification to promote the progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Qi Yongqiang , Wang Da , Huang Wenhua , Wang Bing , Huang Di , Xiong Fei , Chen Xiaoping , Chen Yongjun 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
CyclinD1 is crucial for cell cycling and can regulate the expression of Dicer, a crucial regulator of microRNA maturation. However, little is known on how CyclinD1 regulates Dicer and miRNA expression, and the progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

Methods
The expression of CyclinD1 and Dicer in non-tumor cholangiocytes, ICC cells and tissues as well as their association with clinicopathological characteristics and survival were examined. The potential mechanisms by which CyclinD1 regulates Dicer and relative miRNA expression were determined by immunoprecipitation, ChIP sequence, BSP and luciferase reporter assays following induction of CyclinD1 over-expression or silencing and Dicer silencing. The impact of CyclinD1 and/or Dicer silencing on the growth of ICC was tested in vivo.

Results
Up-regulated CyclinD1 was associated with down-regulated Dicer expression in ICC tissues and poorer overall survival in patients with ICC. CyclinD1 interacted with the nuclear H3K9me3 and SUV39H1 and bound to the Dicer promoter to increase its CpG island methylation in ICC cells. Functionally, CyclinD1 silencing inhibited the malignancy of ICC cells, which were mitigated partially by Dicer silencing in ICC cells. Dicer silencing down-regulated miR-1914-5p and miR-541-5p expression, which targeted and promoted CyclinD1 and CDK6 expression in ICC cells.

Conclusions
Our findings uncover that CyclinD1 inhibits Dicer expression by chromatin modification to reduce miR-1914-5p/miR-541-5p expression, which positively-feedback enhances CyclinD1 and CDK6 expression and progression of ICC.
Cost analysis and efficacy of recruitment strategies used in a large pragmatic community-based clinical trial targeting low-income seniors: a comparative descriptive analysis
Authors: Kakumanu Sravya , Manns Braden J. , Tran Sophia , Saunders-Smith Terry , Hemmelgarn Brenda R. , Tonelli Marcello , Tsuyuki Ross , Ivers Noah , Southern Danielle , Bakal Jeff , Campbell David J. T. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objective
One of the most challenging parts of running clinical trials is recruiting enough participants. Our objective was to determine which recruitment strategies were effective in reaching specific subgroups.

Study design and setting
We assessed the efficacy and costs of the recruitment strategies used in the Assessing Outcomes of Enhanced Chronic Disease Care Through Patient Education and a Value-based Formulary Study (ACCESS) in Alberta, Canada.

Results
Twenty percent of the study budget ($354,330 CAD) was spent on recruiting 4013 participants, giving an average cost per enrolled of $88 CAD. Pharmacies recruited the most participants (n = 1217), at a cost of $128/enrolled. ”Paid media” had the highest cost ($806/enrolled), whereas ”word of mouth” and ”unpaid media” had the lowest (~$3/enrolled). Participants enrolled from ”seniors outreach” had the lowest baseline quality of life and income, while participants from ”word of mouth” had the lowest educational attainment.

Conclusion
The ”health care providers” strategies were especially successful — at a moderate cost per enrolled. The "media" strategies were less effective, short lasting, and more costly. No strategy was singularly effective in recruiting our targeted groups, emphasizing the importance of utilizing a variety of strategies to reach recruitment goals.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02579655. Registered on 19 October 2015.
Optimization of pulmonary emphysema quantification on CT scans of COPD patients using hybrid iterative and post processing techniques: correlation with pulmonary function tests
Authors: de Boer E. , Nijholt I. M. , Jansen S. , Edens M. A. , Walen S. , van den Berg J. W. K. , Boomsma M. F. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of hybrid iterative reconstruction and post processing on emphysema quantification in low-dose CT scans of COPD patients using pulmonary function tests (PFT) as a reference.

Methods
CT scans of 23 COPD patients diagnosed with GOLD I or higher were reconstructed with iDose4 level 1 to 7 in IntelliSpace Portal (ISP) 6 and 7. ISP7 was used with and without specific denoising filter for COPD. The extent of emphysema was measured as percentage of lung voxels with attenuation < − 950 Hounsfield units (%LAA-950). The correlation between %LAA-950 and PFT, age, BMI, pack years, and the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) and Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (MRC) was determined.

Results
Denoising significantly reduced %LAA-950 as was demonstrated by lower %LAA-950 in ISP7 with denoising filter and a significant reduction in %LAA-950 with higher iDose4 levels. All PFT except forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly inversely correlated with %LAA-950. There was a trend toward a stronger correlation at higher iDose4 levels. %LAA-950 was also significantly correlated with BMI, GOLD class, and CCQ scores.

Conclusions
Our study showed that hybrid iterative reconstruction and use of post processing denoising can optimize the use of emphysema quantification in CT scans as a complimentary diagnostic tool to stage COPD in addition to PFT.
Suppressing immunotherapy by organ-specific tumor microenvironments: what is in the brain?
Authors: Zhang Chenyu , Yu Dihua 
Published: October 2019

AbstractRecent breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy have led to curative efficacy and significantly prolonged survival in a subset of patients of multiple cancer types; and immunotherapy has become the newest pillar of cancer treatment in addition to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and precision targeted therapies. In the metastatic disease setting, responses to immunotherapy are heterogeneous depending on the metastatic organ sites. The tissue-specific immuno-biology in the tumor microenvironments (TMEs) contributes to the differential therapeutic responses. Herein, we review the impact of tissue-specific tumor microenvironment on the efficacy of immunotherapy, with a focus on historically under-represented central nervous system (CNS) metastasis, which was excluded from most clinical trials. Retrospective examination of patient specimens and prospective clinical studies with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) have established that brain can harbor an “active” immune microenvironment for effective immunotherapy. Regulation by the innate immune microglial cells and remodeling of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) may contribute to immunotherapeutic responses mediated by T lymphocytes. How to convert an “inactive” (cold) brain microenvironment into an “active” (hot) brain TME should be the focus of future efforts. Thus, procurement and complete examination of clinical specimens from brain metastases as well as development of appropriate preclinical brain metastasis models susceptible to external manipulation of the TME are critical steps towards that goal. A deeper understanding of the immuno-biology in distinct organ microenvironments will help to expand the benefits of immunotherapy to more needed patients.
Some Tauberian conditions on logarithmic density
Authors: Kılıçman Adem , Borgohain Stuti , Küçükaslan Mehmet 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This article is based on the study on the λ-statistical convergence with respect to the logarithmic density and de la Vallee Poussin mean and generalizes some results of logarithmic λ-statistical convergence and logarithmic $(V,\lambda )$
(
V
,
λ
)
-summability theorems. Hardy’s and Landau’s Tauberian theorems to the statistical convergence, which was introduced by Fast long back in 1951, have been extended by J.A. Fridy and M.K. Khan (Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 128:2347–2355, 2000) in recent years. In this article we try to generalize some Tauberian conditions on logarithmic statistical convergence and logarithmic $(V,\lambda )$
(
V
,
λ
)
-statistical convergence, and we find some new results on it.