bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zamanlararası Bütçe Kısıtı ve Türkiye’de Bütçe Açıklarının Sürdürülebilirliği
Authors: KASAL Süleyman
Published: January 2020

Türkiye’de bütçe açıklarının sürdürülebilirliği özellikle son yıllarda dikkat çekici bir konu haline gelmiştir. Bütçenin ekonomiyi ciddi bir şekilde etkilediği düşünüldüğünde bütçe açıklarının sürdürülebilirliğinin analiz edilmesi bu kapsamda önemlidir. Çalışmanın kapsamı da bu fikir çerçevesinde oluşturulmuş ve Türkiye’de bütçe açıklarının sürdürülebilirliği zamanlararası bütçe kısıtı yaklaşımına dayalı olarak 2000: Ç1- 2018: Ç4 arası dönem için incelenmiştir. Çalışmada literatüre uygun bir şekilde merkezi yönetim reel gelirleri/GSYH ve merkezi yönetim reel harcamaları/GSYH değişkenleri kullanılmıştır. Bütçe açıklarının sürdürülebilir olup olmadığı Gregory ve Hansen (1996) tek yapısal kırılmalı eşbütünleşme testi aracılığıyla incelenmiştir. Uzun dönemli eşbütünleşme katsayısı FMOLS, DOLS, CCR ve IM-OLS yöntemleriyle tahmin edilmiştir. Analiz sonuçları Türkiye’de bütçe açıklarının zayıf formda sürdürülebilir olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Dolayısıyla analiz sonuçları Türkiye’de uygulanan mevcut bütçe politikalarında değişikliğe gidilmesi gerektiğine işaret etmektedir.
Reliability of combination of hyaluronic acid application and early rehabilitation in prevention of postoperative adhesions after primary tendon repair
Authors: Hassan Medhat S. , Labeeb Alaa A.
Published: January 2020

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of hyaluronic acid application after tendon repair in prevention of postoperative adhesions, and to clarify the best circumstances that must be fulfilled to obtain this goal. Tissue adhesion usually happens due to injury, foreign-body reaction, bleeding, or infection but is considered an important factor for wound healing. As a result, tendons repair after injury is usually complicated due to limited postoperative movement. Several methods were used to try to prevent postoperative adhesions but most of them did not give satisfactory results as the mechanism of adhesion formation is still unclear.Methods: Fifty patients were included in this prospective study performed at department of plastic, reconstruction and burn surgery, faculty of medicine, Menoufia University over the period of approximately two years (January 2016 to November 2017).Results: Close follow up of the function of the repaired tendons was evaluated repeatedly over the period of 6 months. 40 patients showed excellent progress in regaining function with less possibility of performing adhesions, these patients also expressed satisfaction and comfort toward the regained function. 10 patients showed reasonable progress and were mildly satisfied.Conclusions: Application of hyaluronic acid in addition to a well-planned rehabilitation plan is a good and reliable method against adhesions when performing primary tendon repair.
On the character and functions of sphingolipids.
Authors: Karlsson K A
Published: January 2020

Sphingolipids form a large group of membrane lipids showing a diversity of molecular species. Specific functions associated with the saccharide part of glycosphingolipids including co-receptor functions, cell homing phenomena, and attachment by microbes and microbial toxins may not be unique for sphingolipids. However, there are saccharides which appear only in ceramide-bound form and not in other glycoconjugates, and such glycolipids have often been selected as attachment sites by microbes. During the last few years convincing evidence has been presented in favor of ceramide and sphingosine being signaling molecules for various cell functions. The influence of sphingolipids (ceramide) on the properties of the membrane bilayer is still largely unknown. However, based on the structure of ceramide and some experimental evidence one may formulate its role in membrane stability and barrier properties determined by hydrogen bonding in the amide region of ceramide. Furthermore, a natural variation in the number of hydroxyl groups (of fatty acid and long-chain base) may be important for regulation of the potential hydrogen bonds.
Secretion of stress-related proteins by suspension-cultured Lupinus albus cells.
Authors: Wojtaszek P , Piślewska M , Bolwell G P , Stobiecki M
Published: January 2020

A suspension culture of white lupin cells has been established, and proteins of the exocellular matrix analysed. Based on homologies of N-terminal amino-acid sequences, three stress- or defence-related proteins: acidic class III chitinase, polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein, and germin/oxalate oxidase, secreted by lupin cell culture, were identified.
A doença falciforme na Amazônia: as intersecções entre identidade de cor e ancestralidade genômica no contexto paraense
Authors: Silva Ariana Kelly Leandra
Published: January 2020

A Doença Falciforme (DF ou Hb SS) é a síndrome genética mais prevalente em todo o mundo. Na Amazônia, estado do Pará, o grupo homozigotocom Hb SS representa cerca de 1% da população, que convive com vulnerabilidade biossocial relacionada à “raça/cor” e às manifestaçõesclínicas severas e de difícil tratamento da DF. Pesquisamos as categorias biológicas (genéticas) e culturais (raça/cor) de pessoas diagnosticadas comHb SS, confrontando as intersecções de Identidade Social (IS) e Ancestralidade Genômica (AG), e analisando a condição biocultural dos sujeitos. Investigamos 60 pessoas com DF no estado do Pará. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue na Fundação Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Estado do Pará (HEMOPA/Belém) e realizados testes de Ancestralidade Genômica autossômica no Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica (LGHM), da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA),onde usamos 62 Marcadores Informativos de Ancestralidade (AIM) via Proteína C-Reativa (PCR) multiplex no sequenciador ABI Prism (Prisma de Biossistemas Aplicados) 3130 e software v.3.2 GeneMapper ID. Realizamos pesquisa de campo de caráter etnográfico e entrevistas semiestruturadas, após a entrega dos resultados dos laudos de AG. No corpo da tese, utilizamos um texto integrador com quatro artigos científicos:o primeiro artigo descreve a epidemiologia da DF no Pará, referido como a introdução da tese; o segundo trata sobre os preconceitos e os determinantes sociais da saúde vivenciados por pessoas com DF, o problema investigado; o terceiro demonstra as questões de renda/cor equalidade de vida dos indivíduos pesquisados; e o quarto aborda as manifestações clínicas da DF e as intersecções entre a identidade de raça/cor e a Ancestralidade Genômica no estado do Pará. O estudo foi embasado na identificação do processo de racialização da DF como um Determinante Social da Saúde (DSS), concebida como uma “doença que vem do negro” na Amazônia. Concluímos que é importante analisar os padrões epidemiológicos da população brasileira partindo de suas características etnicorraciais, devido à presença africana, europeia e indígena marcante na região amazônica, em especial, em grupos comuma doença genética crônica. As manifestações clínicas da DF podem ser mensuradas de acordo com os dados de ancestralidade genômica eautodeclaração de raça/cor, em se tratando de diferenças que envolvem o DNA, o gênero/sexo, a idade e a renda familiar, todavia, apenas o status socioeconômico e as características de ascendência genética não conseguem responder sobre a heterogeneidade da sintomatologia da DF,e devem ser levados à análise de polimorfismos associados a esses eventos.
Usos de recursos faunísticos pelos moradores da comunidade Boca do Arapiri, Assentamento Agroextrativista Atumã, em Alenquer, Pará, Brasil
Authors: Lins Corrêa Juliana Carlena Silva , Braga Tony Marcos Porto , Laurido Sara Fontinelli
Published: January 2020

O estudo teve por objetivo registrar os conhecimentos dos moradores da comunidade Boca do Arapiri, em Alenquer, Pará, sobre o uso, o comportamento e a ecologia trófica das principais espécies animais. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, analisados pela categorização do conteúdo das respostas e também por uma abordagem emicista/eticista, com elaboração de quadro de cognição comparada. Constatou-se que a pesca é a principal atividade desenvolvidapelos comunitários para obtenção de alimento e renda. Acari (Pterygoplichthys spp.), curimatã (Prochilodus nigricans), mapará (Hypophthalmus spp.) e cujuba (Oxydoras niger) destacaram-se como os peixes mais consumidos na comunidade. Os pescadores mostraram amplo conhecimento sobre o uso dos recursos disponíveis em seu ambiente, fornecendo importantes informações sobre ecologia, comportamento, hábitos alimentares e reprodutivos das espécies mais comuns na região, o que pode auxiliar no desenvolvimento de medidas que visem à proteção dos recursos e à valorização deste conhecimento.
Karol Wojtyła’s Philosophy on the Issue of Modernity
Authors: Wierzbicki Alfred Marek
Published: January 2020

Karol Wojtyła’s anthropology is characterised by a synthesis of objectivity and subjectivity, and his combination of aletheic and agapic notions. By accepting the modern anthropological turn, on the one hand, he attempted in his works a synthesis of the classic philosophy of being with the philosophy of awareness, and, on the other, he strived to correct the extreme anthropocentrism of modern thought. The author of the article analysed the relationship between Wojtyła’s concept of awareness and subjectivity with the personalistic style of John Paul II’s ministry of “man as the basic path of the Church.” The other pillar of the analysis is the question about the meaning of human freedom. In Wojtyła’s thought and in the teachings of John Paul II, any discussion of freedom as the basic property of a personal being was combined with a reflection on its ethical dimension.
Ege Üniversitesi Hastanesi çocukluk çağı tümörlerinde epidemiyoloji ve sağ kalım özellikleri
Authors: ATASEVEN Eda , KANTAR Mehmet , ANACAK Yavuz , KAMER Serra , ERTAN Yeşim , CANER Ayşe , ÇELİK Ahmet , TURHAN Tuncer , BOLAT Elif , ALPER Hüdaver , KİTİŞ⁷ Ömer , SABAH Dündar , KARAPINAR Deniz , AKSOYLAR Serap , ÇETİNGÜL Nazan
Published: January 2020

Amaç: Her yıl Dünyada 0-19 yaş arası yaklaşık 300.000 olgu kanser tanısı almaktadır. Gelişmiş ve gelişmekte olan ülkelerde çocukluk çağı kanserlerinin dağılımı ve sağ kalım hızlarında belirgin farklılık bildirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada amacımız merkezimizde kayıtlı olan çocukluk çağı kanser olgularının epidemiyolojik özelliklerini ve sağ kalım hızlarını değerlendirmektir.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Merkezimizde 1992-2017 tarihleri arasında 0-19 yaş arasında kanser tanısı alan 4602 hastanın verileri Ege Üniversitesi Kanserle Savaş ve Araştırma Merkezi kayıtları kullanılarak geriye dönük olarak değerlendirildi. Yaşa, cinsiyete, yıllara göre tümör dağılımları ve genel sağ kalım hızları değerlendirildi.
Bulgular: Olguların %55,3’ü erkek, %44,7’si kız ve erkek/kız oranı 1,23/1 idi. Olguların ortalama tanı yaşı 5,6 yıl idi. Merkezimizde en sık lösemi (%25,6), ikinci sıklıkta santral sinir sistemi tümörleri (%23,4), üçüncü sıklıkta ise lenfomalar (%14,2) görülmekteydi. Olguların ortalama izlem süresi 41,4 ay (0-316 ay) idi. Tüm olgular için beş yıllık genel sağ kalım hızı %74 saptandı.
Sonuç: Merkezimizdeki kanser tiplerinin dağılımı ve genel sağ kalım hızları literatür ile benzerdir. Ülkemiz verileri ile karşılaştırıldığında genel sağ kalım hızlarımızın daha iyi olduğu görülmüştür. Bu sonuçlar sağ kalım hızlarının bölgeden bölgeye değiştiğini, bu değişimde hasta ve hasta yakınının farkındalık düzeyinin, gerekli tedaviye ulaşabilme imkanının ve multidisipliner merkezlerin varlığının önemini düşündürmektedir.
Consumer awareness and willingness to pay for halal certified of beef in Bogor area
Authors: Alfikri Syafiq , Baga Lukman Mohammad , Suprehatin Suprehatin
Published: January 2020

Indonesian government law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance (Halal Law) states that all products circulating in Indonesia must be halal-certified. The implementation of Halal Law has implications for increasing the cost of delivering beef to consumers because each seller is required to implement a process that is in accordance with Islamic law in order to obtain halal certificate. This cost will be distributed to consumers by increasing the selling price of beef that halal-certified. The aims of this study are, (1) analyze consumers' willingness to pay on halal-certified of beef, beef prices are currently very high (Rp 120,000 / kg), (2) analyze consumer awareness on halal-certified of beef. The research sample was taken in the Bogor area. The method used to analyze consumers' willingness to pay is Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), and the method for analyzing consumer awareness is Partial Least Square (PLS). The results of this study indicate two factors that significantly influence consumer awareness: religious beliefs and halal logos. The results of this study also indicate that beef consumers in Bogor area are willing to pay more than 4-6 percent for beef that is halal certified. These results indicate that consumers from the Bogor area are willing to pay more for halal-certified beef. This shows the community's support for the implementation of the Halal Law.
Payment of Compensation for Officials Who Did Not Implement the Decision of the State Administrative Court
Authors: Saputro Aries
Published: January 2020

Unlawful Acts by the Agency and/or Government Official (onrechtmatige overheidsdaad) carried out in exercising their authority, which may result in the public, individuals and private legal entities to bring a civil suit to the District Court, to obtain compensation. Meanwhile, the public, individuals or legal entities may request an administrative claim for the issuance of a State Administration Decree by a Government Official to the State Administrative Court. The Court's Decision is a representation of legal considerations by the Judge which is recognized as "res judicata pro veritate habetur" which means that the judge's decision is considered to be correct and immediate. In the District Court District for Officers who do not implement the Decision, an execution will be carried out, if there is an execution from the court in this case, it is due to the trial that the implementation of the Decision is carried out in its leadership capacity in the PTUN Decision Domain, in the civil domain in the Court. If the Government Official sued loses, compensation must go through the Government Budget for the Community, Individuals and Legal Entities and vice versa. However, the Government Officials specifically against the PTUN Decision won back sometimes when they were not ready to implement the Court's Decision as it was done by force. Because the efforts carried out are contained within, as is the case, the decision cannot be carried out and handled by the law contained therein.
Hadis, Tarih ve Yorum: 73 Fırka Hadisi Üzerine Bir İnceleme
Authors: TOPGÜL M. Enes
Published: January 2020

Hadis tarihini daha iyi anlamak için interdisipliner çalışmalara fazlasıyla ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Hadis ve Mezhepler Tarihi disiplinlerinin gerek dönem gerekse şahıs düzleminde birbiriyle ilişkileri, metodik yakınlık ya da uzaklıkları, özellikle Hadis İlmi açısından bidat ehli râviler problemi, Mezhepler Tarihi açısından da fırkaların durumuna dair rivayetler ilgi çekici araştırma konularıdır. Konu Fırak literatürü merkeze alınarak incelendiğinde özellikle “73 fırka hadisi”nin bu literatür üzerinde ciddi bir etkisinin olduğu bilinmektedir. Muhammet Emin Eren’in Hadis, Tarih ve Yorum adıyla neşredilen doktora tezi de “73 fırka hadisi”nin anlaşılma serüvenini aydınlatmayı hedeflemektedir. Yazar Giriş kısmında “iftirak hadisi” olarak andığı rivayetin anlaşılma biçimlerine değinmiş, Birinci Bölümde Ehlisünnet dışı kaynakları da dikkate alarak hadisin etraflı bir tahrîcini yapmış, İkinci Bölümde rivayetin isnâdlarını tetkik etmiş ve son olarak Üçüncü Bölümde hadisin muhtevasını farklı açılardan değerlendirmiştir. Çalışma Sonuç ve Ek kısmıyla son bulmuştur.
Intra-Articular Osteotomy of the Distal Radius with the Use of Inexpensive In-House 3D Printed Surgical Guides and Arthroscopy
Authors: Temmesfeld Max Joachim , Hauksson Ingi Thor , Mørch Thale
Published: January 2020

Case:

An 18-year-old man complained about persistent wrist pain and functional impairment due to intra-articular malunion, 1 year after volar plating of a distal radius fracture. We designed and produced patient-specific surgical guides (PSSGs) in-house with a benchtop three-dimensional printer to perform an arthroscopy-assisted intra-articular osteotomy of the radial column without dorsal arthrotomy. The procedure was performed without complications. After 1 year, there was no osteoarthritis and the patient's wrist function was practically normalized.

Conclusions:

Virtual surgical planning, design, and production of PSSGs were feasible without consultation of an external medical engineering company and without dorsal arthrotomy.
Late-Onset Radial Nerve Palsy After Closed Treatment of a Periprosthetic Humerus Fracture
Authors: Bassora Rocco , Namdari Surena , Beharrie Andrew W. , Inzerillo Vito Christopher , Abboud Joseph A.
Published: January 2020

Case:

A 58-year-old woman underwent successful reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for a proximal humerus fracture. Three years later, she sustained a periprosthetic humerus fracture after a fall and was treated conservatively. She healed with an abundance of callus and subsequently developed delayed-onset radial nerve palsy at 3 months, despite minimal change in humeral alignment and avoidance of the use of any compressive external braces or splints.

Conclusions:

Minimally displaced periprosethetic humerus fractures can lead to delayed radial nerve palsy from callus entrapment, and there should be increased awareness of this potential complication when counseling and treating patients conservatively.
Restoration of Global Sagittal Alignment After Surgical Correction of Cervical Hyperlordosis in a Patient with Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Diebo Bassel G. , Shah Neil V. , Messina James C. , Naziri Qais , Post Nicholas H. , Riew K. Daniel , Paulino Carl B.
Published: January 2020

Case:

We report a rare cervical hyperlordotic deformity in a 19-year-old woman with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and concomitant scoliosis. After standard posterolateral instrumentation and fusion of C2-T1 and extensive soft-tissue release, her neck pain improved and unassisted maintenance of cervical alignment and horizontal gaze were preserved through an 8-year follow-up. More importantly, she exhibited reciprocal correction of compensatory global sagittal malalignment, including lumbar lordosis.

Conclusions:

This case highlights the importance of full-spine analysis for all patients with spinal deformity to identify and differentiate primary driver(s) of deformity from compensatory mechanisms to individualize treatment toward what truly drives the patient's disability.
Soft-Tissue Balancing Technology for Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Siddiqi Ahmed , Smith Tyler , McPhilemy John J. , Ranawat Amar S. , Sculco Peter K. , Chen Antonia F.
Published: January 2020

» Improperly balanced total knee arthroplasties are at increased risk for complications including residual pain and/or instability, which are often corrected by a revision surgical procedure.

» Because of the morbidity and financial burden associated with revision total knee arthroplasty, different technological applications, such as tibial insert sensors and computer-assisted gap balancing, are being used to assist with soft-tissue balancing during primary total knee arthroplasty.

» Computer-assisted gap balancing increases the accuracy of mechanical alignment and improves the precision of balancing flexion and extension gaps during total knee arthroplasty. It is unclear whether this translates to improved short-term or long-term outcome measures. Considerations of this technology include increased cost, increased operative time, and a steep learning curve.

» Intraoperative sensors increase the accuracy of balancing by quantifying the mediolateral intercompartmental load distribution through the range of motion, which may lead to improved outcome scores, patient satisfaction, higher activity levels, and decreased pain. The advantages of this technology compared with computer assistance include decreased cost and no disruption of operative time or workflow. Limited availability with constrained implants, limited implant choices, and a lack of long-term follow-up data have reduced utilization of intraoperative sensors.

» Computer-assisted gap balancing and intraoperative sensors are not yet universally accepted, and the cost-benefit ratio associated with their use remains a consideration in today’s cost-conscious health-care environment. Future research should focus on longer-term follow-up to evaluate implant survivorship, cost-effectiveness, and clinical outcomes.
Non-occlusive distal duodenal and proximal jejunal necrosis – a case report
Authors: Żyluk Andrzej , Jagielski Wojciech , Piotuch Bernard
Published: January 2020

The article presents a case of isolated, non-occlusive necrosis of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum in an elderly patient, burdened with chronic obstructive lung disease, but without concomitant vascular or gastrointestinal disease. Diagnostic investigations included endoscopy and angio-CT. Surgery was peformed and treatment comprised resection of the necrotic parts of the duodenum and jejunum, followed by gastro-jejuno anastomosis and pyloroplasty. Post-operative course was complicated by upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding from multiple gastric ulcers, developed due to duodenal juice reflux into the stomach. The bleeding was successfully controlled by intensive conservative treatment with a proton pump inhibitor and somatostatin. Unfortunately, further complications developed, including urinary tract infection, respiratory failure, and sepsis, which eventually caused patient death in the intensive care unit, 2 months after the operation.
An unusual cause of spontaneous hemothorax： Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) in chest
Authors: Wang wuping , Lu Qiang , Ma Jia , Jiang Tao , Li Zhe
Published: January 2020

Background: Spontaneous hemothorax is often related with several self-diseases in the absence of history of trauma or iatrogenic injury.Case presentation: This study aimed to report the case of a 30-year-old patient diagnosed with peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) accompanied by an intra-thoracic hemorrhage as the initial and life-threatening manifestation. To our knowledge, this is the second case being reported with spontaneous hemothorax due to PNET and also the first one being reported in adult patients. Conclusions: The clinicians should keep in mind that the PNET is one of rare cause of spontaneous hemothorax.
Laparoscopic Small Bowel Resection And Anastmosis For Small Proximal Jejunal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Presented With Acute Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Case report and Literature review
Authors: ahmad khaled S , Essa Mohamed S , Alenazi Naif A
Published: January 2020

Background Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is the most common primary nonepithelial neoplasms of the gastointestinal tract, mostly expressing the KIT protein determined by immunohistochemical staining for the CD117 antigen. Jejunal GISTs represent approximately 10% of all GISTs. Abdominal discomfort is the usual presentation. Jejunal GISTs may present with complications such as intestinal obstruction or hemorrhage. Gastrointestinal bleeding occurs due to pressure necrosis and ulceration of overlying mucosa, and patients who develop significant bleeding may suffer from fatigue and malaise. Small-bowel GISTs are classified based on size, and several guidelines have recommended conservative treatment for small jejunal GISTs (<2 cm).Case presentation In this report, we describe a 35-year-old male, with a jejunal GIST, who presented with an unusual massive lower GI bleeding. After resuscitation extensive work up, he was taken finally for a diagnostic laparoscopy and resection of the mass.Conclusion Small intestinal GISTs are rare and unusual to present with massive lower GI bleeding.
Improvement in attention following surgery treatment in pituitary adenoma patients: an evidence from ERP study
Authors: Cao Chenglong , Song Jian , Huang Yujing , Liu Binbin , Wang Yu , Xu Guozheng
Published: January 2020

Background: Cognitive abilities are impaired in patients with pituitary adenoma, which are mostly treated with surgery. However, the study on neurocognitive recovery after transsphenoidal adenomectomy is lacking. The study aims to identify the electrophysiological change that relates to the attention function of pituitary adenoma patients after treatment.
Methods: 27 preoperative pituitary patients and 25 follow up postoperative patients were recruited. 27 healthy controls (HCs) were matched to the patients with age, sex, and education. All the pituitary adenoma patients had successfully gone through transsphenoidal adenomectomy under microscope or endoscope. Event-related potentials were used to investigate the cognitive processes of attention for preoperative patients, postoperative patients and healthy controls. In addition, eyesight and blood hormone levels were examined. Six months after surgery, blood hormone levels, pituitary MRI and electrophysiological tests were re-examined.
Results: Across three groups, all emotional stimuli could evoke P200 components. Compared with HCs or postoperative patients, the amplitudes of P200 in the preoperative patients were higher. Moreover, The amplitude of P200 decreased in postoperative patients, which was similar to that in HCs. The attention was improved after surgery, but no significant differences were detected between postoperative patients and HCs.
Conclusion: The tumor mass effect and abnormal hormone may be relevant to the factors that impair the attention. Compared with that of the HCs and postoperative patients, the P200 component elicited by negative stimuli is higher in preoperative patients, which is associated with the attention impairments. Furthermore, these data indicate the improvement in attention may be attributed to the tumor resection and the amelioration of endocrine disorders. This study shows that P200 component can be used to diagnose the attention in preoperative pituitary patients, and prove the improvement of the attention in postoperative patients.
The experiences of health professionals while monitoring a hunger strike among undocumented migrant workers in Brussels.
Authors: Vanobberghen Rita , Louckx Fred , Devroey Dirk , Vandevoorde Jan
Published: January 2020

Background In 2014, in Brussels, a group of undocumented migrant workers started a hunger strike. A loophole in Belgian migration law allows very sick people to stay in the country to recuperate. Undocumented migrants jeopardize their health to be able to obtain a temporary permit and a way out of misery. The monitoring of the hunger strike was done by young, committed but inexperienced health professionals.Methods At the end of the hunger strike, two focus groups were held to find out the dilemmas confronting the health professionals.Results Eighteen out of 29 health professionals participated. They mentioned their curiosity to gain new insights into living conditions among undocumented people and the reasons why they started the strike. They were puzzled by the paradox of wanting to die to get a better life and refusing medical advice. They wondered about their role and commitment as a caregiver. Some were deeply touched by the experience and reacted emotionally while others deepened their engagement. Symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress, such as re-experiencing and avoidance were observed. The participants themselves also proposed improvements to the monitoring. Conclusions Even though only a small number of health professionals were questioned, we detected a lot of preoccupations and contradictions in their reactions. To be able to process these a close follow-up and evaluation of the monitoring of a hunger strike is mandatory. We also propose that prevention, early detection and treatment of Secondary Traumatic Stress should become part of formal medical education.
Challenges Faced by Students, Instructors and Technologists during the Clinical Placement of Radiology Technology Students for clinical Practices: a qualitative research
Authors: Lemu Bizuayehu Nigatu , Nguse Teklehaimanot Mezgebe , Kumsa Marema Jebessa
Published: January 2020

Background: Clinical placements are of paramount importance to medical radiology technology students, as it allows them to acquire the necessary skills to be successful technologists. The main objective of this study was to assess the challenges faced by students, instructors, and technologists during the clinical placements of radiology technology students at four College of Health Sciences-affiliated hospitals. Method: A qualitative approach using focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews was used to explore the challenges experienced by students, instructors, and technologists during the clinical placements of medical radiology technology students from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Twenty-two radiology technology students in the Department of Radiography took part in the study from an available pool of 73 students. In addition, seven out of the 19 available instructors was interviewed. Two technologists from each affiliated hospital were also selected for face-to-face interviews. A categorization approach was used to analyze the data with the goal of identifying core themes. Results: Our qualitative analysis led to the identification of nine themes from the focus group discussion and face-to-face interviews. From the students’ and instructors’ points of view, love of profession, transportation services, clinical supervision, theory-practice gap, hands-on practice, imaging modalities, availability of a skills lab, insufficient practicing area, and curriculum were considered as important factors in the clinical placement experience. Conclusion: This research showed students and instructors faced many challenges during the clinical placements of radiology technology students from Addis Ababa University, and these challenges may significantly affect the future performance of these students as technologists.Keywords: Clinical placement; health professional instructors; radiologic technologist; Ethiopia; health sciences; hospital practice; challenges
Lithium chloride enhances osteoblast differentiation and resists senile osteoporosis
Authors: Bao Yizhong , Lv Xiaoling , Tang Ying , Ru Xuanliang , Wang Jirong , Yan Jing
Published: January 2020

Background Lithium chloride (LiCl) is commonly used in the clinic for the treatment of bipolar and other mental disorders. LiCl is an inhibitor of GSK-3β, and has been reported to modulate the balance of adipogenesis and osteogenesis. But, whether LiCl impacts bone formation and homeostasis in senile osteoporosis is still unclear. Methods Analysis of tibia in 2, 5, 7 and 10 months old C57BL/6 male mice were performed by MicroCT (μCT). 7 months old wild-type mice were treated with LiCl orally 0, 100 or 200 mg/kg for 3 months and then tested by μCT. The levels of osteogenesis marker genes and Wnt signaling target genes in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining. BMSCs were induced osteoblast differentiation and tested by Alizarin red S staining. Results μCT analyses of C57BL/6 mice showed that bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) increased until the bone mass peaked (5 months) and then began to fall subsequently. LiCl dramatically enhanced bone mass in the senile osteoporotic conditions, represented by increased ratio of bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV), and decreased in trabeculae separation (Tb.Sp). Moreover, LiCl significantly increased both canonical osteoblastogenesis and Wnt signaling activity without affecting hormones. Conclusion This study uncovered the role of LiCl in canonical Wnt signaling and bone formation and have provided the evidence that LiCl may potentially repress senile osteoporosis.
Postbloom Thinning of ‘Bartlett’ Pear with Metamitron
Authors: Elsysy Mokhles A. , Hubbard Andrew , Einhorn Todd C.
Published: January 2020

Metamitron is a relatively new postbloom thinning compound for pome fruits that inhibits the photosystem II (PS II) pathway of photosynthesis. Reduced assimilation of carbohydrate by metamitron action may lead to a carbohydrate deficit that promotes fruit abscission. We have evaluated the thinning efficacy of metamitron rate and, to a limited extent, application timing for ‘Bartlett’ pear in five separate trials over 3 years (2015–17) in northern Oregon. Comparisons were made to a nontreated control and, depending on the trial, a commercial standard thinning compound [benzyladenine (6-BA) or abscisic acid (ABA)]. Application timings ranged between 7- and 16-mm fruit diameter depending on the trial. Metamitron markedly inhibited photosynthesis (PN), typically for a duration of 2 to 3 weeks, although longer persistence was observed in two trials. Generally, PN was reduced linearly with increasing metamitron rate, but the effect varied by rate and year and may have been enhanced by high temperatures. Metamitron effectively thinned in four of five trials whereby pear fruit set was negatively and linearly related to rate. Rates of 200 to 300 ppm were efficacious and produced target crop loads. In only one trial, increasing concentrations (600 ppm) led to greater thinning. Metamitron significantly thinned ‘Bartlett’ pears when applied between 10 and 13 mm. In contrast, early application timing (≈7 mm) had little effect on fruit abscission. Fruit size increased with decreasing crop load and thus was significantly improved by metamitron. Interaction between biological and environmental factors likely contributed to year-to-year variability in efficacy.
Genetic and Epigenetic Modulation of Drug Resistance in Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Shah Kanisha , Rawal Rakesh M.
Published: January 2020

Cancer is a complex disease that has the ability to develop resistance to traditional therapies. The current chemotherapeutic treatment has become increasingly sophisticated, yet it is not 100% effective against disseminated tumours. Anticancer drugs resistance is an intricate process that ascends from modifications in the drug targets suggesting the need for better targeted therapies in the therapeutic arsenal. Advances in the modern techniques such as DNA microarray, proteomics along with the development of newer targeted drug therapies might provide better strategies to overcome drug resistance. This drug resistance in tumours can be attributed to an individual’s genetic differences, especially in tumoral somatic cells but acquired drug resistance is due to different mechanisms, such as cell death inhibition (apoptosis suppression) altered expression of drug transporters, alteration in drug metabolism epigenetic and drug targets, enhancing DNA repair and gene amplification. This review also focusses on the epigenetic modifications and microRNAs, which induce drug resistance and contributes to the formation of tumour progenitor cells that are not destroyed by conventional cancer therapies. Lastly, this review highlights different means to prevent the formation of drug resistant tumours and provides future directions for better treatment of these resistant tumours.
Fanconi Anemia DNA Repair Pathway as a New Mechanism to Exploit Cancer Drug Resistance
Authors: Ghosal Kajal , Agatemor Christian , Han Richard I. , Ku Amy T. , Thomas Sabu , Mukherjee Sudit
Published: January 2020

Chemotherapy employs anti-cancer drugs to stop the growth of cancerous cells, but one
common obstacle to the success is the development of chemoresistance, which leads to failure of the
previously effective anti-cancer drugs. Resistance arises from different mechanistic pathways, and in
this critical review, we focus on the Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway in chemoresistance. This pathway
has yet to be intensively researched by mainstream cancer researchers. This review aims to inspire a
new thrust toward the contribution of the FA pathway to drug resistance in cancer. We believe an indepth
understanding of this pathway will open new frontiers to effectively treat drug-resistant cancer.
Environmental Application of Agro-waste Derived Materials for the Treatment of Dye-polluted Water: A Review
Authors: Mashkoor Fouzia , Nasar Abu
Published: January 2020

Background:

The extensive industrialization and unrestricted development of dyeutilizing
industries coupled with the shortage of proper effluent treatment methods have increased the
water pollution. Disposal of dyes in a natural water system is a severe worldwide concern owing to
the harmful effects on the ecosystem. Among the available wastewater treatment methods, adsorption
is considered as a promising alternative in the elimination of dyes.

Methods:

There are a variety of ways for the modification of agro-waste, such as (i) acid modification
(ii) alkali modification, (iii) surfactant modification, and (iv) preparation of activated carbon, etc.
Moreover, numerous techniques have been used for the characterization of modified agro-waste,
such as, SEM/EDAX, TEM, BET, TGA, and FTIR.

Results:

From the literature study, it was observed that the adsorption efficiency of various modified
agro-waste is reliant on the nature of the adsorbent materials and different batch parameters, such as
initial dye concentration, solution pH, adsorbent dose, and temperature of the system. In this way,
these components must be thought about while evaluating the elimination of dye using various agrobased
adsorbents.

Conclusion:

Modification of agricultural waste usually improved the adsorption capacity of adsorbents
due to an escalation in the number of active adsorbing sites, enhancement in the porosity, increase
in the surface area, and generation of new functional groups that favor the removal of dye
from wastewater. Agro-waste materials being inexpensive, abundant, and renewable can be effectively
exploited for the confiscation of dye from aqueous media.
Aristolochia triangularis Cham. Stems and Leaves’ Essential Oils and their Antimicrobial and Antimycobacterial Effects
Authors: Dalcol Ionara I. , Pereira Alessandra O. , Paz Luisa H. , Benetti Gabriela , Siqueira Fallon S. , Campos Marli M.A. , Ethur Eduardo M. , Morel Ademir F.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Aristolochia triangularis Cham., popularly known as the "cipó-milhomens",
"angelicó" and "ypê-mi", is applied for the treatment of wounds, skin diseases
(6,7), digestive and circulatory system diseases as an antipyretic and for malaria fever also.

Objective:

In this work, we investigated the chemical composition, the antimicrobial and antimycobacterial
activities of the Essential Oils (EOs) extracted from A. triangularis fresh stems and leaves
collected in Southern Brazil.

Methods:

Fresh stems and fresh leaves of Aristolochia triangularis Cham. were separately subjected
to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition of the Essential
Oils (EOs) was analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The oil samples
were evaluated for their antimycobacterial, antibacterial and antifungal activities against twenty-four
microorganisms.

Results:

Hydrodistillation of fresh stems and leaves of A. triangularis resulted in 0.16% (w/w) and
0.37% (w/w) of light-yellow oils, respectively. Germacrene D was found in 13.2 - 13.5% in both the
EOs. The constituent most abundant in the stems EO (19.18%) was the oxygenated diterpene ent-
Kaur-16-en-19-al (10), along with E-nerolidol (17.89%). The main constituents of the leaves EO
were bicyclogermacrene (24.79%), β-elemene (11.30%), E-caryophyllene (10.40%) and germacrene
A (9.42%), in addition to the previously mentioned germacrene D. The stems and leaves EOs
showed capacity to inhibit the Gram-negative Enterobacter aerogenes and the stems EO showed the
capacity to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values of 31.2 μg/mL. S. aureus was found to
be moderately sensitive to leaves EO, while stems EO displayed moderate activity against Enterococcus
faecalis and Salmonella typhimurium (MIC values of 62.5 μg/mL). Candida glabrata was
highly susceptible to both EOs (MIC values < 3.9 μg/mL). The EOs showed moderate potential to
inhibit the growth of Cryptococcus gatti and Cryptococcus neoformans (MICs of 62.5 μg/mL).

Conclusion:

The A. triangularis essential oils from stems and leaves displayed the capacity to inhibit
Enterobacter aerogenes (MIC values of 31.2 μg/mL) and high antifungal effect against Candida
glabrata (MIC values of <3.9 μg/mL). Mycobacterium massiliense and M. abscessus were susceptible
to the leaves EO, with MICs of 39.06 μg/mL. These results showed the potential of A. triangularis
essential oils as antifungal and antimycobacterial agents to be used in the development of new
antibiotics.
Machine learning algorithm for improving performance on 3 AQ-screening classification
Authors: Pratama Taftazani Ghazi , Hartanto Rudy , Setiawan Noor Akhmad
Published: January 2020

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) classification using machine learning can help parents, caregivers, psychiatrists, and patients to obtain the results of early detection of ASD. In this study, the dataset used is the autism-spectrum quotient for child, adolescent and adult, namely AQ-child, AQ-adolescent, AQ-adult. This study aims to improve the sensitivity and specificity of previous studies so that the classification results of ASD are better characterized by the reduced misclassification. The algorithm applied in this study: support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), artificial neural network (ANN). The evaluation results using 10-fold cross validation showed that RF succeeded in producing higher adult AQ sensitivity, which was 87.89%. The increase in the specificity level of AQ-Adolescents is better produced using an SVM of 86.33%.
Making Self-Management Mobile Health Apps Accessible to People With Disabilities: Qualitative Single-Subject Study
Authors: Zhou Leming , Saptono Andi , Setiawan I Made Agus , Parmanto Bambang
Published: January 2020

Background

Over the past decade, a large number of mobile health (mHealth) apps have been created to help individuals to better manage their own health. However, very few of these mHealth apps were specifically designed for people with disabilities, and only a few of them have been assessed for accessibility for people with disabilities. As a result, people with disabilities have difficulties using many of these mHealth apps.

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify an approach that can be generally applied to improve the accessibility of mHealth apps.

Methods

We recruited 5 study participants with a primary diagnosis of cerebral palsy or spinal cord injury. All the participants had fine motor impairment or lack of dexterity, and hence, they had difficulties using some mHealth apps. These 5 study participants were first asked to use multiple modules in the client app of a novel mHealth system (iMHere 2.0), during which their performance was observed. Interviews were conducted post use to collect study participants’ desired accessibility features. These accessibility features were then implemented into the iMHere 2.0 client app as customizable options. The 5 participants were asked to use the same modules in the app again, and their performance was compared with that in the first round. A brief interview and a questionnaire were then performed at the end of the study to collect the 5 participants’ comments and impression of the iMHere 2.0 app in general and of the customizable accessibility features.

Results

Study results indicate that the study participants on their first use of the iMHere 2.0 client app experienced various levels of difficulty consistent with the severity of their lack of dexterity. Their performance was improved after their desired accessibility features were added into the app, and they liked the customizable accessibility features. These participants also expressed an interest in using this mHealth system for their health self-management tasks.

Conclusions

The accessibility features identified in this study improved the accessibility of the mHealth app for people with dexterity issues. Our approach for improving mHealth app accessibility may also be applied to other mHealth apps to make those apps accessible to people with disabilities.
Once Daily Versus Overnight and Symptom Versus Physiological Monitoring to Detect Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Al Rajeh Ahmed M , Aldabayan Yousef Saad , Aldhahir Abdulelah , Pickett Elisha , Quaderi Shumonta , Alqahtani Jaber S , Mandal Swapna , Lipman Marc CI , Hurst John R
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Earlier detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations may facilitate more rapid treatment with reduced risk of hospitalization. Changes in pulse oximetry may permit early detection of exacerbations. We hypothesized that overnight pulse oximetry would be superior to once-daily monitoring for the early detection of exacerbations.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate whether measuring changes in heart rate and oxygen saturation overnight is superior to once-daily monitoring of both parameters and to assess symptom changes in facilitating earlier detection of COPD exacerbations.

METHODS

A total of 83 patients with COPD were randomized to once-daily or overnight pulse oximetry. Both groups completed the COPD assessment test questionnaire daily. The baseline mean and SD for each pulse oximetry variable were calculated from 14 days of stable monitoring. Changes in exacerbation were expressed as Z scores from this baseline.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 70.6 (SD 8.1) years, 52% (43/83) were female, and the mean FEV1 was 53.0% (SD 18.5%) predicted. Of the 83 patients, 27 experienced an exacerbation. Symptoms were significantly elevated above baseline from 5 days before to 12 days after treatment initiation. Day-to-day variation in pulse oximetry during the stable state was significantly less in the overnight group than in the once-daily group. There were greater relative changes at exacerbation in heart rate than oxygen saturation. An overnight composite score of change in heart rate and oxygen saturation changed significantly from 7 days before initiation of treatment for exacerbation and had a positive predictive value for exacerbation of 91.2%. However, this was not statistically better than examining changes in symptoms alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Overnight pulse oximetry permits earlier detection of COPD exacerbations compared with once-daily monitoring. Monitoring physiological variables was not superior to monitoring symptoms, and the latter would be a simpler approach, except where there is a need for objective verification of exacerbations.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03003702; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03003702