bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing the use of empiric antibiotic therapy in patients on admission to the hospital with COVID-19
Authors: Pettit Natasha N. , Nguyen Cynthia T. , Lew Alison , Bhagat Palak , Nelson Allison , Olson Gregory , Ridgway Jessica , Pho Mai T. , Pagkas-Bather Jade
Published: November 2020

Background: Empiric antibiotics for community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) are often prescribed to patients with COVID-19, despite a low reported incidence of co-infections. Stewardship interventions targeted at facilitating appropriate antibiotic prescribing for CABP among COVID-19 patients are needed. We developed a guideline for antibiotic initiation and discontinuation for CABP in COVID-19 patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of this intervention on the duration of empiric CABP antibiotic therapy among patients with COVID-19. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, quasi-experimental study of adult patients admitted between 3/1/2020 to 4/25/2020 with COVID-19 pneumonia, who were initiated on empiric CABP antibiotics. Patients were excluded if they were initiated on antibiotics >48hours following admission or if another infection was identified. The primary outcome was the duration of antibiotic therapy (DOT) prior to the guideline (March 1 to March27, 2020) and after guideline implementation (March 28 to April 25, 2020). We also evaluated the clinical outcomes (mortality, readmissions, length of stay) among those initiated on empiric CABP antibiotics. Results: A total of 506 patients with COVID-19 were evaluated, 102 pre-intervention and 404 post-intervention. Prior to the intervention, 74.5% (n=76) of patients with COVID-19 received empiric antibiotics compared to only 42% of patients post-intervention (n=170), p<0.001. The median DOT in the post-intervention group was 1.3 days shorter (p<0.001) than the pre-intervention group, and atypical antibiotic DOT was reduced by 2.8 days (p<0.001). More patients in the post-intervention group were initiated on antibiotics based on criteria consistent with our guideline (68% versus 87%, p=0.001). There were no differences between groups in terms of clinical outcomes. Conclusion: Following the implementation of a guideline outlining recommendations for initiating and discontinuing antibiotics for CABP among COVID-19 inpatients, we observed a reduction in antibiotic prescribing and DOT. The guideline also resulted in a significant increase in the rate of guideline-congruent empiric antibiotic initiation.
On the frontline—Sustainability and development research amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gatto Andrea , Drago Carlo , Ruggeri Matteo
Published: November 2020

COVID-19 outbreak has exposed the world population to a condition of unprecedented public health and global health vulnerability. Preliminary and projected consequences have exhibited their harmfulness for socio-economic, environmental and political systems. In this framework, development and sustainability turn focal policy targets to limit the humanitarian and ecosystems impacts of the pandemic and stimulate mitigation, preparedness and adaptation to change. This work aims at furnishing a prompt array of key tools to analyse, comprehend and disentangle the sketched issues. For this scope, it is conducted a bibliometric analysis for depicting and mapping the early scholarship response on the relationship between the 2019 Coronavirus, sustainability and development within the pandemics discourse. The research finds a relevant bulk of early publications and geographical insights, principally published on environmental and economic policy, global and public health journals by US, UK, Chinese and Italian scholars. Exploiting a multiple correspondence analysis and a validated cluster analysis, the investigation detects a conceptual structural map made up of clusters of issues – environmental health, socio-economic and medical/technical topics, that can be related to the different phases of the Coronavirus. The outputs confirm the need for rapid sustainability action within the development policy to contrast the pandemic.
Global-scale episodes of transoceanic biological dispersal during the Cenozoic
Authors: Viete Daniel , Cooke Siobhán
Published: November 2020

Since formalization of plate tectonic theory in the 1960s, vicariance has been the dominant model for interpretation in biogeography. However, modern research suggests transoceanic ‘rafting’ is also an important process in biological dispersal. Here we show that Cenozoic occurrences of rafting-associated colonization of new lands by terrestrial biota are not randomly distributed in time, but cluster at c. 40 million years ago (Ma) and c. 15 Ma. These excursions in rafting activity are reflected across taxonomic groups and ocean basins. The global scale and ~25 million-year (My) wavelength of the fluctuations suggest they are associated with planetary-scale changes and/or events.
Manipulation of Localised Nutrient Placement to Enhance Synergistic Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus for Rice 
Authors: Lu Dianjun , Song Hang , Chen Xiaoqin , Wang Huoyan , Zhou Jianmin
Published: November 2020

Background: Point application of fertiliser containing only immobile phosphorus (P) at a site distant from crop roots may limit plant P capture and grain yield. We investigated whether a localised application of P together with nitrogen (N) could offset this limitation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). We postulated that N in this combined fertiliser would stimulate root proliferation, thereby promoting uptake of P. Results: We conducted a pot experiment using three localised nutrient supply treatments (N-only, P-only, and combined N and P) applied at sites near (3 cm) and distant (10 cm) from rice seedlings. We also tested the effects of homogeneous NP supply. Grain yields were similar between the homogeneous NP supply and localised N-only supply, regardless of placement distance. P-only supply with 10 cm placement reduced grain yield by 30%. Root length density was considerably greater around the placement site in the localised N-only treatment compared to the P-only at both placement distances. Hence, localised combined N and P supply offset reductions in yield and nutrient uptake realised under the P-only supply with 10 cm placement. Root mass density and root/shoot dry weight ratio were greater under the localised N-only supply than in the NP combination with 3 cm placement. Hence, localised combined N and P supply with 3 cm placement enhanced grain yield (by 33%) than the N-only supply. Conclusion: The synergistic effects of localised fertilisation with N and P can be maximised through precise manipulation of specific placement distances for favourable root architecture and high crop yield.
High selectivity to ethanol gas sensor based on ZnO nanosheets decorated with Ag nanoparticles by aqueous solution and photochemical deposition
Authors: Young Sheng-Joue , Liu Yi-Hsing
Published: November 2020

We demonstrated the fabrication of Ag NPs decorated ZnO NSs on a glass substrate using the aqueous solution and photochemical deposition method. The synthesis process is room temperature. This two-dimensional ZnO NSs can increase the performance of gas sensors due to increase the surface-to-volume ratio. Through increasing the surface-to-volume ratio of nanostructures, it is possible to increase the absorption potion of the target gas. In addition, noble metal NPs attached to the ZnO nanostructure can also increase the performance of gas sensors because Ag NPs act as strong electron acceptors, it will be induced enhanced electron depletion layer. As a result, the Ag NPs decorated ZnO NSs gas sensor has high selectivity to ethanol, as well as improved gas sensing performance to ethanol as compared to ZnO.
Gender as a factor affecting the NK cell activity in patients successfully treated for chronic hepatitis C with DAA
Authors: Zientarska Agata , Witkowska Aleksandra , Rozpłochowski Błażej , Mikuła-Pietrasik Justyna , Kaczmarek Mariusz , Kowala-Piaskowska Arleta , Książek Krzysztof , Żeromski Jan , Mozer-Lisewska Iwona
Published: November 2020

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) affects the activity of NK cells, but successful interferon-free treatment partially restores it. The goal of the study was to assess whether gender influences those alterations. We examined 21 women after menopause and 24 men with CHC treated with directly acting antivirals (DAA), and 33 healthy volunteers. With flow cytometry, we analysed KIR2DS4, NKG2D, NKp30, KIR2DL2/DL3, NKG2A, TRAIL and granzyme B on the surface of NK cells, simultaneously we checked serum CXCL10 with ELISA. Overall, patients with CHC had higher expression of KIR2DS4, NKG2A, NKp30 and a lower percentage of NK cells among lymphocytes than the control group. After the treatment KIR2DS4, KIR2DL2/DL3 and NKG2A, TRAIL NKp30 on NK cells decreased, while the percentage of NK cells, expression of granzyme B and NKG2D increased. Serum CXCL10 was elevated before the treatment and dropped afterwards. We observed differences between genders in the expression of KIR2DL2/DL3 (higher in female) and NKp30 (elevated in men) comparing CHC/control groups. After the treatment of KIR2DL2/DL3, NKp30 and CXCL10 dropped only in female while granzyme B increased in male. In conclusion, the response of NK cells among men and women in post-menopausal age with CHC differs. Our research may lead to more studies on different nature of female and male immune systems in the context of HCV infection and treatment.
Downregulation of Cardiotrophin-Like Cytokine 1(CLCF1) Inhibits Osteoblastic Differentiation by Regulating RANKL/ OPG Pathway
Authors: Chen Juan , Xu Huijuan , Ye Yunjing , Xie Lihua , Li Shengqiang , Ge Jirong
Published: November 2020

BackgroundCardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1) is a member of the IL (interleukin)-6-type cytokine. Although its immunomodulatory functions are well defined, data on the physiological and pathological functions of the CLCF1 in bone metabolism remains scant. Here, we interrogated the functions and mechanisms of CLCF1 in osteoblast differentiation.MethodsA total of 109 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and 94 control group participants were included in this study. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot techniques were used to profile the expression of the CLCF1, nuclear factor-kB ligand and its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG), as well as the janus activated kinase (JAK2)/transcription3 (STAT3) pathway. To elucidate the effect of CLCF1 on bone metabolism, we established CLCF1 gene-knockout Raji cell lines and Raji-MG-63 co-culture system, and interrogated the osteoblast differentiation by measuring the activity of ALP and the level of Alizarin-Red S staining.ResultsOur data demonstrated that the expression of CLCF1 was highly downregulated in PMOP compared with the control group. Moreover, the level of CLCF1 was proportional to the bone mineral density (BMD) in the postmenopausal osteoporosis. Furthermore, the deletion of CLCF1 gene inhibits osteoblast differentiation by regulating the RANKL/OPG system.ConclusionOur findings unravel the previously unidentified roles of CLCF1 in the bone-immune crosstalk, as well as potential therapeutic strategies for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Prognostic value of Serum miR-217 Level in Osteosarcoma Patients
Authors: Ye Jia , Jin Zhi-Hui , Chen Ren , Chen Sen , Ren Yi-Jun , Guo Wei-Chun , He Hui
Published: November 2020

Background: MicroRNA (miR)-217 is a tumor suppressor significantly associated with osteosarcoma. We try to evaluate serum levels miR-217 in osteosarcoma patients and evaluate its prognostic significance.Methods: A total of 163 consecutive osteosarcoma patients and 96 healthy participates were enrolled. Serum miR-217 levels were evaluated by using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR). The association between serum miR-217 level and survival outcomes was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Serum miR-217 levels in osteosarcoma patients was significantly lower than healthy volunteers (P<0.05). Low serum miR-217 was significantly related to advanced cancer and metastasis (both P<0.05). Moreover, patients with a low serum miR-217 had a poorer overall survival than those with a high serum miR-217 levels (P<0.05). Serum miR-217 level also been showed as independent risk factor for osteosarcoma in multivariate analysis (HR, 0.42; 95%CI: 0.12–0.98; p<0.01). Conclusions: Serum miR-217 levels was significantly downregulated in osteosarcoma patients and remarkably associated with poor prognosis, indicating that serum miR-217 might serve as a useful diagnostic and prognostic indictor for osteosarcoma.
Integrative Analysis of Genes Associated With Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics via Stemness Indices Combined With Multi-Omics Data in Liver Cancer
Authors: Zhang Jiecheng , Yu Binhong , Chu Haiwei , Hu Bin , Chen Luxia , Yang Weifang , Zhang Ruili , Zhao Wenjun
Published: November 2020

BackgroundLiver cancer (LC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies with a high morbidity and mortality. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are capable of tumorigenicity, self-renewal and long-term survival. However, the relationship between LC and CSCs remains unclear.MethodsThe clinical data of LC patients and multi-omics data including mRNA-seq, lncRNA-seq, miRNA-seq, mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi), alternative splicing, DNA methylation and copy number variation (CNV) were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Besides, the clinical data and RNA-seq of validation group were obtained from International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC). Integrative analysis of genes associated with CSCs characteristics were performed by stemness indices combined with multi-omics data in LC.ResultsThe stemness degree of cells in liver tumor group was higher than that of the normal group. The patients with high stemness degree of tumor tissue had significantly poorer overall survival. Besides, 6 methylation-driven genes and 4 CNV-driven genes related to CSCs characteristics were obtained. Alternative splicing factor regulatory network and ceRNA regulatory network were constructed respectively. Furthermore, the mRNAsi score of LC was negatively correlated with the tumor immune score. The proportion of CD8 T cell, activated memory CD4 T cell, follicular helper T cell and M1 macrophages was up-regulated in tumors with a higher degree of stemness. Finally, a prediction model was established, which has been proved to be a good predictor of prognosis by ICGC data.ConclusionsCancer cells with high degree of stemness aggravated the malignant progression of LC, which may be related to low immune infiltration. The proposed prediction model was a powerful predictor for patients and helpful to clinical work.
Clinical characteristics of children with primary tracheobronchial tumors and SVM model in mucoepidermoid carcinoma Prediction
Authors: Zhang Chen , Fu Wenlong , Dai Jihong , Li Yonggang , Tang Xingye , Ma Xiaofeng , Geng Gang , Li Ying , Yang Ting , Yan Li , Liu Jingyue , Liu Zheng , Yuan Xiaoping , Tian Daiyin
Published: November 2020

Objective

To determine the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of primary tracheobronchial tumors (PTT) in children.
Methods

The medical records of children with PTT who were hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 1995 through January 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical features, imaging, and bronchoscopic manifestations, treatment, and outcomes of these patients were summarized.
Results

Sixteen children were hospitalized with PTT during the study period: five (31.3%) with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (ME), three (18.8%) with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT), two (12.5%) with sarcoma, two (12.5%) with papillomatosis, and one (6.3%) each with carcinoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), hemangioma, and schwannoma. Among them, ME was the most common type of tumor, and we used some statistical and machine learning techniques to predict ME, such as Gaussian naïve Bayes model, SVM(support vector machine) model, and decision tree model. The median age at diagnosis of PPTs was 9.3 years (range, 3–15 years), and the main clinical symptoms were cough (81.3%), breathlessness (50%), wheezing (43.8%), progressive dyspnea (37.5%), hemoptysis (37.5%), and fever (25%). The most frequent complication on chest imaging was atelectasis (56.3%), followed by bronchiectasis (25%) and emphysema (12.5%). Of the 16 patients, seven underwent surgical treatment, eight underwent bronchoscopic tumor resection, and one died. Of the 11 children followed-up, three experienced recurrence, including two who underwent subsequent tracheotomies, both of whom have varying degrees of post-activity shortness of breath. The other eight patients did not experience recurrence. No deaths were observed during follow-up.
Conclusion

PTTs are very rare in children, with ME having the highest incidence. And the SVM model showed high accuracy with respect to identifying ME. Chest CT and bronchoscopy can diagnose PTT effectively. Surgery is the treatment of choice, although bronchoscopic intervention can achieve good results in patients with unresectable tumors. The prognosis of the 11 followed-up children was good.
Establishment of an immune-related gene pairs model to predict colon adenocarcinoma prognosis
Authors: Luo Jihang , Liu Puyu , Wang Leibo , Huang Yi , Wang Yuanyan , Geng Wenjing , Chen Duo , Bai Yuju , Yang Ze
Published: November 2020

Background Colon cancer is the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer and has high morbidity and mortality. Colon adenocarcinoma(COAD) is the main pathological type of colon cancer. There is a lot of evidence describing the correlation between the prognosis of COAD and the immune system. The objective of the current study was the development of a robust prognostic immune-related gene pairs (IRGPs) model for estimating overall survival of COAD. Methods The gene expression profiles and clinical information of patients with colon adenocarcinoma come from TCGA and GEO databases and are divided into training and validation cohorts. Immune genes were selected which show significantly association with prognosis. Results Among 1647 immune genes, a 17 IRGPs model was built which was significantly associated with OS in the training cohort. In the training and validation data set, the IRGPs model divided patients into high-risk groups and low-risk groups, and the prognosis of the high-risk group was significantly worse( P <0.001). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis confirmed the feasibility of this model. Functional analysis confirmed that multiple tumor progression and stem cell growth-related pathways in high-risk groups were up-regulated. T cells regulatory and Macrophage M0 were significantly highly expressed in the high-risk group. Conclusion We successfully constructed an IRGPs model that can predict the prognosis of COAD, which provides new insights into the treatment strategy of COAD.
Attitude and perceptions towards COVID-19 among pregnant women in Singapore: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Lee Ryan Wai Kheong , Ling Loy See , Liying Yang , Yen Jerry Chan Kok , Kok Tan Lay
Published: November 2020

Background COVID-19 may predispose pregnant women to higher risks of severe disease and poorer neonatal outcome. Psychological sequalae of this pandemic may pose a greater conundrum than its clinical aspects. It is currently unknown that how pregnant women cope with this global pandemic and its ramifications. The aims of the study are to understand the attitude and perceptions of non-infected pregnant women towards the COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore. Methods An online cross-sectional survey of COVID-19 awareness among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Singapore was conducted. An internet link was provided to complete an online electronic survey on Google platform using a quick response (QR) code on mobile devices. The online survey consists of 34 questions that were categorized into 4 main sections, namely 1) social demographics 2) attitude on safe distancing measures 3) precaution practices and 4) perceptions of COVID-19. Results A total of 167 survey responses were obtained over eight weeks from April to June 2020. The majority of women were aged ≤35 years (76%, n=127), were of Chinese ethnicity (55%, n=91), attained tertiary education (62%, n=104) and were not working as frontline staff (70%). Using multiple linear regression models, Malay ethnicity (vs. Chinese, β 0.24; 95% CI 0.04, 0.44) was associated with higher frequency of practicing social distancing. Malay women (β 0.48; 95% CI 0.16, 0.80) and those who worked as frontline staff (β 0.28; 95% CI 0.01, 0.56) sanitized their hands at higher frequencies. Age of ≥36 years (vs. ≤30 years, β 0.24; 95% CI 0.01, 0.46), Malay (vs. Chinese, β 0.27; 95% CI 0.06, 0.48) and Indian ethnicity (vs. Chinese, β 0.41; 95% CI 0.02, 0.80), and attendance at high-risk clinic (vs. general clinic, β 0.20; 95% CI 0.01, 0.39) were associated with higher frequency of staying-at-home.Conclusion It is important for clinicians to render appropriate counselling and focused clarification on the effect of COVID-19 among pregnant women for psychological support and mental wellbeing.
Geographic distribution of family physicians in Japan and the United States: a cross-sectional international comparative study
Authors: Okazaki Yuji , Yoshida Shuhei , Kashima Saori , Koike Soichi , Matsumoto Masatoshi
Published: November 2020

Background: Family physicians are known to distribute more equally among the population than other physicians. The maturity of family medicine, i.e. the length of its history as a part of healthcare system and the population of qualified family medicine experts, may affect the distribution, but this has not been shown in the literature. This study compares the geographic distribution of family physicians in Japan and the United States (U.S.), both of which are developed countries without a physician allocation system by the public sector, but the two countries differ greatly in the maturity of family medicine as a clinical specialty.Methods: This is a cross-sectional international comparative study using publicly available online database on the number of physicians in Japan (Board-certification Database of Japan Primary Care Association, and Survey of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) and the U.S. (Area Resource File by Health Resources and Services Administration). The municipalities in Japan and counties in the U.S. were divided into quintile groups according to population density. The number of family physicians per unit population in each group of areas was calculated. The geographic distribution of all physicians in Japan was simulated assuming that the proportion of family physicians among all physicians in Japan (0.16%) was increased to that in the U.S (11.8%).Results: The distribution of family physicians in Japan noticeably shifted to the areas with the lowest population density. In contrast, family physicians in the U.S. distributed equally across areas. The distribution of physicians with other specialties (general internists, pediatricians, surgeons and obstetricians/gynecologists) shifted heavily to the areas with highest population density in both countries. The simulation analysis showed the geographic maldistribution of all physicians improved substantially if the proportion of family physicians in Japan increases to that in the U.S. Conclusion: The distribution of family physicians is more equal than other medical specialists, and the immaturity of family medicine can even lead to a rural-biased distribution. In a country with emerging family medicine such as Japan, increasing the number of family physicians may effectively mitigate the urban-rural imbalance of physician supply.
Sahnede Şehirler! Türkiye’nin UNESCO Yaratıcı Şehirler Ağı - Film Alanı Açısından Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Gülduran Çağla Aslı , Arıkan Saltık Işıl
Published: November 2020

UNESCO Yaratıcı Şehirler Ağı (UNESCO Creative Cities Network-UCCN), 2004 yılında UNESCO tarafından, yaratıcılığı kentsel gelişme sürecinde önemli bir faktör olarak gören şehirlerarasındaki işbirliğini artırmak için gerçekleştirilen proje sonucunda kurulmuştur. Projenin ana amacı, küreselleşmenin etkisi ile ortaya çıkan kültürün homojenize olması ve metalaşması tehditlerine karşı kültür ve yaratıcılığın gelişimini teşvik etmektir. Ayrıca, işbirliği ağı aracılığıyla şehirlerin uluslararası düzeyde tanıtımına ve gelişimine katkı sağlamayı, hem küresel, hem ulusal hem de yerel düzeyde sürdürülebilir kalkınmayı desteklemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Kısaca, UCCN ile kültürel çeşitliliğin artırılması, sürdürülebilir kalkınmanın teşvik edilmesi hedeflenmekte ve küresel bir platformda şehirlerin uluslararası düzeyde görünürlüğü ve tanıtımı desteklenmektedir. UCCN kapsamında, edebiyat, film, müzik, zanaat ve halk sanatları, tasarım, gastronomi ve medya sanatları olmak üzere yedi farklı yaratıcı alan yer almaktadır. Dünya genelinde 70’i aşkın ülkeden 246 şehir UCCN’ye kayıtlıdır. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de bazı şehirlerin film alanı üzerinden UCCN’ye katılım potansiyelinin incelenmesini amaçlamaktadır. Nitel araştırma yöntemleriyle gerçekleştirilen çalışmada, ikincil veriler betimsel analiz aracılığıyla değerlendirilmektedir. Çalışmada öncelikle UCCN ve özellikle dünya genelinde film alanı üzerinden UCCN’ye dâhil olan şehirler hakkında bilgi verilmektedir. Ardından, Türkiye’de film turizmi konusunda öne çıkan destinasyonlar UCCN film alanı kriterleri üzerinden değerlendirilmekte ve yaratıcı şehirler ağına girme potansiyelleri incelenmektedir. Çalışma sonucunda UNESCO tarafından belirlenen kriterlere uygunluğu nedeniyle Antalya, İzmir ve Muğla’nın UCCN’ye film alanı üzerinden dâhil olma potansiyelinin yüksek olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Çalışma, sürdürülebilir turizm anlayışını benimsemiş destinasyonlarda yaratıcılığın bir strateji olarak uygulanabilirliğine ilişkin bulgular sunması açısından önem taşımaktadır. Böylelikle kitle turizminin turizmin ekonomik kazanımlarını önde tutan ve turist odaklı yaklaşımın yerine, turizmin sosyo-kültürel etkilerini de gözeten ve yerel halkın ve toplulukların öncelikli olduğu sürdürülebilir turizm anlayışına geçiş sürecine de destek olabilecektir. Çalışma aynı zamanda UCCN film turizmi ilişkisini irdeleyerek alan yazının gelişimine de katkı sağlamaktadır.
Genome Editing with CRISPR-Cas9: A Budding Biological Contrivance for Colorectal Carcinoma Research and its Perspective in Molecular Medicine
Authors: Ray Suman K. , Mukherjee Sukhes
Published: November 2020

Genome editing is an addition, deletion, or replacement of a gene to remove
or initiating explicit and preferred characters in the genome. Utilizing gene-editing tools
like CRISPR-Cas9 technology could be accomplished either by gene-based
methodology or protein-based technology that has been under scrutiny for the protracted
time wherein physical techniques, viral and non-viral strategies have been utilized
together. Transplanting ex vivo CRISPR edited cells empowers screening of single
guide RNAs with high-throughput and CRISPR based screening in organoids
transplantation to validate cancer cells including colorectal carcinoma in various phases
of its development and treatment.CRISPR knockout screens have recognized genes
that drive interest in colon cancer to develop hallmarks, especially in some cancer cell
lines with single guide RNA, to disclose drug resistance mechanisms. One advantage of
this method is to deal with CRISPR knockout genomic screening, which disrupts gene
expression, rather than the partial knockdown that is mostly done with RNA interference
and CRISPR/Cas technology. This technique is used to treat different forms of cancer
because of its proficient editing of the target gene, along with the CRISPR/Cas system.
Latest research has shown that the CRISPR/Cas gene-editing technique has
theoretically reformed the expression in colorectal carcinoma of long non-coding RNA.
For the next decade CRISPR/Cas9 technology will positively fuel the development of
more in vivo gene editing clinical trials in colon cancer and will have an enormous impact
on molecular medicine.
Evaluating the efficacy of intra-articular injections of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in rheumatoid arthritis patients and its impact on inflammatory cytokines, disease activity and quality of life.
Authors: Saif Dalia S. , Hegazy Nagwa N. , Zahran Enas S.
Published: November 2020

Background:

Among rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA), general disease activity is well regulated by diseasemodifying anti-rheumatic medications (DMARDS), but sometimes local inflammation still persists among a few joints.
Adjuvant modern molecular interventions as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) with a suggested down regulating effect on
inflammatory mediators has a proven effect in management of RA.
We aim to evaluate the therapeutic effect of intra-articular PRP versus steroid in RA patients and their impact on
inflammatory cytokines IL1B , TNF α, local joint inflammation, disease activity and quality of life (QL).

Methods:

Open labeled parallel randomized control clinical trial was carried out on 60 RA patients randomly divided into
2 groups, Group 1: included 30 patients received 3 intra-articular injections of PRP at monthly interval, Group 2: included
30 patients received single intra-articular injection of steroid. They were subjected to clinical, laboratory, serum IL1B and
TNF α assessment at baseline and at 3, 6 months post injection.

Results:

Patients of both groups showed improvements in their scores of evaluating tools at 3months post injection and
this improvement was persistent in the PRP group up to 6 months post injection while it was continued only for 3 months
in the steroid group.

Conclusions:

PRP is a safe, effective and useful therapy in treating RA patients who had insufficient response and
persistent pain and inflammation in just one or two joints through its down regulating effect on inflammatory cytokines
IL1B, TNF α with subsequent improvement of local joint inflammation, disease activity and QL.
Determination of Acotiamide in Human Plasma by LC-MS/MS and its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study
Authors: Sun Qian , Yang Yu-fei , Zou Qiao-gen , Xia Yun-yan , Han Cheng-qun
Published: November 2020

Background:

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS)
method had been developed for the quantification of acotiamide in rat plasma and been applied to
pharmacokinetic studies. However, there was no LC-MS/MS method been developed for the determination
of acotiamide in human plasma and its pharmacokinetic study.

Objective:

A simple and fast LC-MS/MS method was established and validated for the quantification of acotiamide in
human Received: plasma and was applied to a pharmacokinetic study.

Methods:

Sample preparation was accomplished Revised: Accepted: through protein precipitation,
and chromatographic separation was achieved on a Welch, Ultimate XB-C18 column (2.1×50 mm,
3 μm) with a security guard cartridge C18 using a binary gradient with DOI: mobile phase A
(Methanol) and B (the solution of 10 mM Ammonium acetate with 0.1% Formic acid) at a flow
rate of 400 μL/min.

Results:

The retention time of acotiamide and its internal standard, acotiamide-d6 was 1.78 min
and 1.79 min, respectively. The total run time was 4.0 min. The method was developed and validated
over the concentration range of 0.500-100 ng/mL for acotiamide, with correlation coefficient
greater than 0.9987. The extraction recovery was more than 108.43% and the matrix effect was not
significant. The inter- and intra-day precisions were below 5.80% and accuracies ranged from 92.7
to 103.0%. Acotiamide was demonstrated to be stable in human plasma under the tested conditions.

Conclusion:

The validated LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetic
profiles of acotiamide in human plasma after oral administration and has achieved satisfactory
results.
Novel Targets Explored in the Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Authors: Gupta Antra , Khan Heena , Kaur Amarjot , Singh Thakur Gurjeet
Published: November 2020

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) is characterized as the termination of chronic
and sustained alcohol use that leads to severe symptoms of distress or loss of daily functions when
less or no alcohol is consumed. It is a debilitating manifestation of alcohol dependence and responds
poorly to the available clinical therapies. Alcohol drinking is continuously increasing all
over the world. It causes 3.3 million deaths every year (5.9% of all deaths) and 5.1% of the global
burden of disease. Alcohol Withdrawal syndrome leads to various changes in the brain's neurotransmitters
system, such as GABA, glutamate, non-epinephrine, serotonin. These symptoms arose
from the imbalance in brain receptors between gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and N methyl
aspartate (NMDA) that develop on the discontinuation of alcohol. Studies from various in vivo and
in vitro animal models of alcohol withdrawal explored new targets for the treatment of alcohol
withdrawal syndrome. Advancements in the elucidation of the AWS mechanism have revealed a
number of key targets that hypothesize to modulate clinical status. The present review discusses
the pathophysiology, neurobiology, and treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and its novel
targets like corticotrophin-releasing factor, sigma, melanocortin-4 receptors, opioid, potassium
channels, ghrelin, and endocannabinoid receptors, and gut microbiota. This review discusses the
various clinical and pre-clinical aspects related to alcohol dependence. The exploration of novel
pharmacological targets may provide effective therapeutic interventions for the management of alcohol
withdrawal syndrome.
Distribution Characteristics of ANA and ANCA in Patients with Hyperthyroidism
Authors: Xun Chunhua
Published: November 2020

Background:

Antinuclear antibody( ANA) and Antineutrophil autoantibodies(ANCA) are often used as markers for diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. In clinical practice, we found that ANA and ANCA were often occured in sera of pa-tients with hyperthyroidism.

Objective:

To discover the positive feature of anti-nuclear antibodies(ANA) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies（ANCA） in hyperthyroidism.

Materials and methods:

Sera samples from 171 patients with hyperthyroidism and 50 healthy controls, ANA and ANCA were detected with indirect immunofluorescence(IIF) method.

Results:

ANA and ANCA positive rates were higher in hyperthyroidism (33.9% and 29.2%,respectively )than that in con-trol(4.0% and 2.0%,respectively), the low titer (≤1:320)of ANA was dominated (86.2%) in 58 hyperthyroidism patients with positive ANA, the major pattern was homogeneous (48.3%) and speckled patterns (48.3%); the low titer (≤1:32) of ANCA was dominated(64.6%) in 50ANCA positive samples and the major pattern was perinuclear (p)ANCA(96%).

Conclusion:

The positive rates of ANA and ANCA were increased and mainly appeared low titer in hyperthyroidism, which supplement laboratory characteristics of hyperthyroidism.
An online platform for city planners, local governmental officers and citizens to share information toward achieving SDGs
Authors: Kawakubo Shun
Published: November 2020

A major change in society has been the growth and prevalence of cities, in particular extremely large cities of more than 10 million inhabitants. Cities are fantastic for pooling resources and creating hubs for industry, learning and creativity. However, they also consume huge amounts
of resources and create massive waste and pollution problems. These problems are particularly difficult to deal with in the context of high density, high activity living. Tackling these issues is clearly a global issue, especially given that the number of people living in cities is only going
to increase in the coming years. These issues are front-and-centre of the UN goals for sustainable development and a key feature of the Paris Climate Agreement. Associate Professor Shun Kawakubo of the Department of Architecture Hosei University, Japan, is helping transform these global aims
into local initiatives. He and his team gather and process extensive data, both quantitative and qualitative, concerning these initiatives. They then collate these in accessible areas for all communities to use. Most importantly, they take their findings and bring them directly to different
communities to help them develop their own plans and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Reconstruction of a system for using and managing agricultural irrigation water stock through "critical succession"
Authors: Nakajima Masahiro , Nitta Masayuki
Published: November 2020

Professor Masahiro Nakajima and Assistant Professor Masayuki Nitta are collaborating on a project that focuses on the reconstruction of a system that utilises and manages agricultural irrigation water stocks through maintenance and innovation. Their focus for the project is Japanese
communities.
Developing An Authentic Assessment Instruments of Psychomotor Domain For The Physics Learning on Measurement Materials in Class X SMA
Authors: Dahlia Dahlia , Maison Maison , Nehru Nehru
Published: November 2020

Practicum is a form of learning activity relates to assessment, which is part of a series of learning processes. Assessment in practicum not only consists of cognitive aspects but also emphasizes affective and psychomotor aspects. Psychomotor is a domain related to skills or ability to act after receiving learning experiences. An authentic assessment of the psychomotor domain is needed to determine each student learns and apply their learning outcomes into life. The study aimed to determine the procedure for developing an authentic assessment instrument of the psychomotor domain for physics learning on measurement material in class X SMA and describe the teacher's assessment toward the developed the authentic assessment instrument. The study used Dick and Carey developmental model consisted of ten stages. They are (1) analysis the learning objectives, (2) learning analysis, (3) analysis of students and their environment, (4) formulating specific objectives, (5) developing assessment instruments, (6) developing learning strategy, (7) developing and selecting learning materials, (8) formative evaluation, (9) revision, and (10) summative evaluation. But, the article used only nine of ten stages. The validation sheet was assessed by two expert lecturers. The product of the psychomotor assessment instrument was validated by two expert lecturers through 2 revisions. The developed instrument was tested in small groups, namely class X MIA 7, SMA N 1 Muaro Jambi. The validation obtained a total score of 136. Means, the score included in the category of 136 ≤ N <150: "Very Good." The teacher's responses were 82% of very good (positive). In short, the developed instrument was feasible to continue to trial steps. The trial to 10 students obtained a mean of 82.1. Based on the range of student scores, seven students were classified as highly skilled, and three students were classified as skilled. Based on results and discussion, it concluded that authentic assessment instruments of the psychomotor domain for the physics learning on measurement materials were feasible to use for teacher class of class X MIA in SMA N 1 Muaro Jambi.
Concept Map: Does It Increase Learning Motivation of Student?
Authors: Utami Aisyiyah Dinnur , Yuliyanto Eko
Published: November 2020

The learning model used by a teacher is a factor that supports the success of learning during the process of teaching and learning activities. The particular study aimed to determine differences in student learning outcomes and motivation before and after for learning using the concept map model in the material of chemical atomic structure for class X. This study used a quasi-experimental research method with the One Group Pretest-Posttest Design research design. The sample was 36 students from class X and selected using a purposive sampling technique. A test instrument was used to collect data of learning outcomes and a questionnaire used to collect data of student's motivation, and a pretest and posttest were carried out. Analysis of hypothesis test used Paired Sample T-Test. The results of this study were: (1) there were significant differences in term of student’s learning outcomes before and after learning treated using a concept map model in chemistry subject for the material of the atomic structure, and (2) there was a decreasing in term of student’s motivation before and after learning treated using concept map model in chemistry subject for the material of the atomic structure.
The Effects of Model Project-Based Learning Approach on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematic) on Natural Science Learning to Junior High School Student’s Critical Thinking Skills And Cooperative Skills at SMP N 1 Berbah
Authors: Indriyana Riyani Septi , Susilowati Susilowati
Published: November 2020

This research aimed to (1) analyzes the effect of model project-based learning approach STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) on natural science learning to junior high school student’s critical thinking skills and cooperative skills, and (2) analyze how the effect of model project-based learning on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) on natural science learning to junior high school student’s critical thinking skills and cooperative skills. This research was quasi-experimental with a non-equivalent control group design. The population was eighth-grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Berbah. Sampling selection technique used cluster random sampling techniques and obtained class VIII B as an experimental class and class VIII C as a control class. Learning in the experimental class project-based learning model was STEM-oriented, and the control class used a scientific approach. The data were pretest and posttest critical thinking, observation sheets of cooperative. The analysis used the normality test, homogeneity test, MANOVA test, and effect size. The results showed that: (1) there was an effect of project-based learning model on STEM approach on critical thinking skills and cooperative skills of students of SMP Negeri 1 Berbah, (2) the effect of science learning project-based learning model on STEM approach on critical thinking and collaborative skill was on medium category.
The Effect of Cooperative Learning Group Investigation Type In Science With an Outdoor Learning System Approach on Problem Solving Skills and the Mastery of Concepts in Junior High School Student
Authors: Aini Fitri Nur
Published: November 2020

The research aimed to know (1) the effect of the implementation cooperative learning group investigation type with an outdoor learning system on problem-solving skills, (2) the effect of the implementation cooperative learning group investigation type with an outdoor learning system on the mastery of concepts, and (3) the simultaneous effect of cooperative learning group investigation type with an outdoor learning system on problem-solving skills and the mastery of concepts. This research was a quasi-experimental research with a nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group design. The population was the seventh-grade students of SMP N 2 Tempel. The sample selection technique used the purposive sampling technique; class of VIII C played as an experimental class and VIII D played as control class. The instruments on data collection used problem-solving tests and mastery of concept tests. The parametric test used in this research which was an independent sample t-test followed by effect size, and MANOVA. The results showed: (1) there was an effect of the implementation cooperative learning group investigation type with an outdoor learning system on problem-solving skills with poor category, (2) there was an effect of the implementation cooperative learning group investigation type with an outdoor learning system on the mastery of concepts with high effects, and (3) there was a simultaneous effect of cooperative learning group investigation type with an outdoor learning system on problem-solving skills and the mastery of concepts.
Examining the dimensions of employee safety behavior: Validation from the microfinance sector of Pakistan
Authors:   Sukkur Institute of Business Administration, Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur, Pakistan, Shaikh Hira Rani , Shah Syed Mir Mohammad ,   Sukkur Institute of Business Administration, Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur, Pakistan
Published: November 2020

Employee safety behavior is a dynamic phenomenon that takes place in every organization where employee’s concerns are taken for granted. Organizations and their respective authority are in search of ways to reduce the magnitude of such behavior by counseling employees. Research scholars play an important role in understanding and developing employee safety behavior. In this regard, specifically for assessing the way and magnitude of employee safety behavior (ESB), researchers have developed a tool to measure it. For achieving such an objective, researchers theoretically proposed the indicators to measure employee safety behavior effectively. These behaviors were: Avoidance and aggression coded as SBAV (safety behavior for avoidance) and SBAG (safety behavior for aggression). The present study strengthens the theoretical rationale of previous studies and validated the psychometric properties of employee safety behavior in the Pakistani context. 400 employees from 11 branches situated in different regions were surveyed, and data was analyzed using SMART PLS 3.0–software prominent due to its methodological usefulness. Findings illustrated that instrument satisfaction met the criteria of internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity for both ESB dimensions. Findings clearly demonstrated that the ESB scale is effective enough in measuring employee safety behavior in the microfinance sector of Sindh, Pakistan. Hence, Future researchers are recommended to use this tool in measuring employee safety behavior in developing countries, specifically in Pakistan.
Defensivos agrícolas - efeitos no homem e no ambiente
Authors: Rahde Alberto Furtado
Published: November 2020

A questão dos defensivos agrícolas e suas repercussões no mundo atual — além das bem-claras implicações de utilização como fator de produção agrícola — se reveste de aspectos polêmicos e que até hoje não apresenta consenso universal. Este consenso que aparentemente deveria ficar restrito à ciência agronômica ou à toxicologia, melhor dito, à ecotoxicologia, hoje em dia atinge praticamente os interesses de toda a comunidade e se apresenta como uma questão ainda sem soluções satisfatórias. Muitas vezes o problema dos defensivos agrícolas é cognominado com justa razão de o "dilema" dos defensivos, na conceituação clássica de que qualquer que seja o caminho do raciocínio, as conclusões serão igualmente difíceis e penosas. Começando pela própria denominação das substâncias usadas para destruir pragas, já não há acordo na nomenclatura a ser utilizada: assim, pesticidas, praguicidas, agrotóxicos, biocidas e defensivos agrícolas — este último cunhado somente no Brasil pelo Ministério da Agricultura, com uma acepção sujeita a inúmeras críticas — entre outros nomes, que tentam a abrangência do significado sem, contudo, atingir plenamente o objetivo da definição completa. Pessoalmente temos a preferência pelo termo "praguicidas", porém não deixaremos questões semânticas prolongarem e esvaziarem a finalidade deste artigo.
O instrumento da democracia
Authors: Schweizer Peter José
Published: November 2020

É hoje em dia, cada vez maior o número de pessoas que perceberam a distância que separa o Brasil real do Brasil formal. O Brasil real é o Pais da pobreza, dos desempregados, das crianças sem lar e sem escola, das famílias sem-terra, seja na cidade ou no campo, do vendedor ambulante, do bicheiro, do favelado, do mocambeiro, das comunidades de base, dos sindicatos, da igreja, do candomblé, da macumba, do samba, do futebol, da exploração, do especulador, do assaltante, do poeta, do estudante , do professor e de tantos que tentam sobreviver neste período difícil da nossa história .