bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A secure electronic medical record authorization system for smart device application in cloud computing environments
Authors: Chen Chin-Ling , Huang Po-Tsun , Deng Yung-Yuan , Chen Hsing-Chung , Wang Yun-Ciao
Published: May 2020

As cloud computing technology matures, along with an increased application of distributed networks, increasingly larger amounts of data are being stored in the cloud, and are thus available for pervasive application. At the same time, current independent medical record systems tend to be inefficient, and most previous studies in this field fail to meet the security requirements of anonymity and unlinkability. Some proposed schemes are even vulnerable to malicious impersonation attacks. The scheme proposed in this study, therefore, combines public and private clouds in order to more efficiently and securely preserve and manage electronic medical records (EMR). In this paper, a new secure EMR authorization system is proposed, which uses elliptic curve encryption and public-key encryption, providing a health care system with both public and private cloud environments with a message authentication mechanism, allowing the secure sharing of medical resources. The analysis shows that the proposed scheme prevents known attacks, such as replay attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks and impersonation attacks, and provides user anonymity, unlinkability, integrity, non-repudiation, forward and backward security.
Peripheral clearance of brain-derived Aβ in Alzheimer's disease: pathophysiology and therapeutic perspectives
Authors: Cheng Yuan , Tian Ding-Yuan , Wang Yan-Jiang
Published: May 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, and no disease-modifying treatments are available to halt or slow its progression. Amyloid-beta (Aβ) is suggested to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AD, and clearance of Aβ from the brain becomes a main therapeutic strategy for AD. Recent studies found that Aβ clearance in the periphery contributes substantially to reducing Aβ accumulation in the brain. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of how Aβ is cleared in the periphery is important for the development of effective therapies for AD. In this review, we summarized recent findings on the mechanisms of Aβ efflux from the brain to the periphery and discuss where and how the brain-derived Aβ is cleared in the periphery. Based on these findings, we propose future strategies to enhance peripheral Aβ clearance for the prevention and treatment of AD. This review provides a novel perspective to understand the pathogenesis of AD and develop interventions for this disease from a systemic approach.
Estimated need for anthelminthic medicines to control soil-transmitted helminthiases in school-aged children, 2020–2030
Authors: Marocco Chiara , Tediosi Fabrizio , Bangert Mathieu , Mupfasoni Denise , Montresor Antonio
Published: May 2020

Background

Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) are part of the group of neglected tropical diseases traditionally treated with preventive chemotherapy interventions. In recent years, drug donations have been essential to expanding preventive chemotherapy and achieving progressive control of morbidity from STH. This study aims to evaluate the need for anthelminthic medicines during 2020–2030.

Methods

To estimate the need for anthelminthic medicines, we considered three different scenarios: (1) the control programmes continues to expand coverage and maintains the frequency of drug administration established at baseline; (2) the programmes continues to expand coverage but adapts the frequency of drug administration when the STH prevalence is reduced and (3) the STH programme becomes self-sustainable in some endemic countries.

Results

We estimate that the number of anthelmintic medicines needed to treat school-aged children will increase by 40% by 2025 and by 52% by 2030 if countries do not change the frequency of preventive chemotherapy (scenario 1); that the number of tablets needed will reduce by 32.4% by 2025 and by 49.1% in 2030 if endemic countries reduce the frequency of preventive chemotherapy (scenario 2); and drug donations could be reduced by 54.4% by 2025 and 74.4% by 2030 if some endemic countries could become independent in drug procurement (scenario 3).

Conclusions

The number of anthelmintic medicines needed to achieve elimination of morbidity due to STH in school-aged children will decline during 2020–2030. The decline will be substantial if a number of “upper-middle income” countries in which STH are endemic procure, as expected, anthelminthic medicines independently.
Transmission of ALS pathogenesis by the cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Mishra Pooja Shree , Boutej Hejer , Soucy Geneviève , Bareil Christine , Kumar Sunny , Picher-Martel Vincent , Dupré Nicolas , Kriz Jasna , Julien Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2020

To test the hypothesis that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could provide a spreading route for pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we have examined the effects of intraventricular infusion during 2 weeks of pooled CSF samples from sporadic ALS patients or control CSF samples into transgenic mice expressing human TDP43WT which do not develop pathological phenotypes. Infusion of ALS-CSF, but not of control CSF, triggered motor and cognitive dysfunction, as well as ALS-like pathological changes including TDP43 proteinopathy, neurofilament disorganization and neuroinflammation. In addition, the neuron-specific translational profiles from peptide analyses of immunoprecipitated ribosomes revealed dysregulation of multiple protein networks in response to ALS-CSF altering cytoskeletal organization, vesicle trafficking, mitochondrial function, and cell metabolism. With normal mice, similar ALS-CSF infusion induced mild motor dysfunction but without significant TDP43 pathology in spinal neurons. We conclude that the CSF from sporadic ALS contains factors that can transmit and disseminate disease including TDP43 proteinopathy into appropriate recipient animal model expressing human TDP43. These findings open new research avenues for the discovery of etiogenic factors for sporadic ALS and for the testing of drugs aiming to neutralize the ALS-CSF toxicity.
Influence of voxel size on forest canopy height estimates using full-waveform airborne LiDAR data
Authors: Wang Cheng , Luo Shezhou , Xi Xiaohuan , Nie Sheng , Ma Dan , Huang Youju
Published: May 2020

Background

Forest canopy height is a key forest structure parameter. Precisely estimating forest canopy height is vital to improve forest management and ecological modelling. Compared with discrete-return LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), small-footprint full-waveform airborne LiDAR (FWL) techniques have the capability to acquire precise forest structural information. This research mainly focused on the influence of voxel size on forest canopy height estimates.

Methods

A range of voxel sizes (from 10.0 m to 40.0 m interval of 2 m) were tested to obtain estimation accuracies of forest canopy height with different voxel sizes. In this study, all the waveforms within a voxel size were aggregated into a voxel-based LiDAR waveform, and a range of waveform metrics were calculated using the voxel-based LiDAR waveforms. Then, we established estimation model of forest canopy height using the voxel-based waveform metrics through Random Forest (RF) regression method.

Results and conclusions

The results showed the voxel-based method could reliably estimate forest canopy height using FWL data. In addition, the voxel sizes had an important influence on the estimation accuracies (R2 ranged from 0.625 to 0.832) of forest canopy height. However, the R2 values did not monotonically increase or decrease with the increase of voxel size in this study. The best estimation accuracy produced when the voxel size was 18 m (R2 = 0.832, RMSE = 2.57 m, RMSE% = 20.6%). Compared with the lowest estimation accuracy, the R2 value had a significant improvement (33.1%) when using the optimal voxel size. Finally, through the optimal voxel size, we produced the forest canopy height distribution map for this study area using RF regression model. Our findings demonstrate that the optimal voxel size need to be determined for improving estimation accuracy of forest parameter using small-footprint FWL data.
Vitamin D status in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease: an Egyptian study
Authors: Fahmy Ebtesam Mohamed , Elawady Mohamed Elsayed , Sharaf Sahar , Heneidy Sarah , Ismail Rania Shehata
Published: May 2020

Background

Vitamin D is suggested to play an important role in neurodegenerative disorders.

Objective

To examine the association between serum 25 vitamin D3 and Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Materials and methods

Fifty patients suffering from PD and fifty age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were included in the study. Patients were subjected to complete clinical assessment, and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was done to evaluate severity of PD. Measurement of serum 25 vitamin D3 using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was done for both patients and controls.

Results

Serum 25 vitamin D3 was significantly lower in PD patients compared to healthy controls. Twenty-five vitamin D3 serum level was significantly negatively correlated with age and age at onset of disease but not significantly correlated with disease duration and severity of Parkinson’s disease. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum 25 vitamin D3 was not found to be predictor for severity of PD.

Conclusion

There is an association between low vitamin D levels and PD. Therefore, vitamin D may have a role in the pathophysiology of PD.
OR18-01 Effect of Teprotumumab on Proptosis Reduction Across Various Demographic Sub-Groups
Authors: Kahaly George J , Smith Terry J , Holt Robert , Sile Saba , Douglas Raymond S
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Teprotumumab, an insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor inhibitory monoclonal antibody, was recently shown to significantly reduce proptosis in patients with active, moderate-to-severe thyroid eye disease (TED) in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials.1,2 Prior analyses have demonstrated a combined trial proptosis response (≥2 mm reduction) rate of 77.4% in the teprotumumab group and 14.9% in the placebo group after 24 weeks of therapy (p < 0.001).3 The current analysis was performed to investigate whether or not patient demographic characteristics influence the teprotumumab proptosis response.

Methods: Data from two 24-week randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter studies (Phase 2 [NCT01868997], Phase 3 [NCT03298867[) were combined. All patients had active TED associated with Graves’ disease. The study eye designated at baseline manifested more severe TED and a clinical activity score of > 4. Subjects were divided into subgroups based on gender, smoking status, and age at baseline (younger: <65, older: ≥65). The percentage of proptosis (≥2 mm) responders and proptosis change from baseline were examined in each of these subgroups. Because most of both teprotumumab (85%) and placebo (87%) subjects were white, there were insufficient numbers of subjects to examine the effect of race on the teprotumumab proptosis response. All analyses were performed on the intent-to-treat (ITT) population using data from the study eye.

Results: A total of 171 patients comprised the population from the two studies. Eighty-four and 87 patients were randomized to the teprotumumab and placebo groups, respectively, and the treatment groups had balanced baseline characteristics. At week 24, significantly more teprotumumab than placebo patients were proptosis responders in all examined subgroups (male: 73.1% vs. 5.0%, female: 79.3% vs. 17.9%, smokers: 70.0% vs. 23.1%, non-smokers 79.7% vs. 11.5%, younger: 76.1% vs. 16.2%, older: 84.6% vs. 7.7%; all p < 0.001). In continuous variable analyses, the mean proptosis reduction from baseline was also significantly greater at week 24 in teprotumumab-treated patients than placebo patients (male: -3.34 vs. -0.07 mm, female: -3.10 vs. -0.42 mm, smokers: -2.99 vs. -0.72 mm, non-smokers: -3.20 vs. -0.31 mm, younger: -3.10 vs. -0.39 mm, older: -3.55 vs. -0.22 mm; all p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Teprotumumab was effective across subgroups of age, gender, and smoking status in the pooled 24-week clinical trials.

Reference: (1) Smith TJ, et al. N Engl J Med 2017;376:1748-1761. (2) Douglas RS, et al. AACE 2019 late-breaking abstract. (3) Kahaly GJ, et al. Thyroid 2019;29(Suppl1):A-1 [abstract].
SAT-008 Do Psychological Factors Influence Exercise Related Amenorrhea?
Authors: Williams Nancy I , Strock Nicole C A , Koltun Kristen J , Mallinson Rebecca J , Souza Mary Jane De
Published: May 2020

Purpose: The etiology of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) can involve both metabolic and psychogenic stressors. The role of metabolic stress has been described in exercising women who develop FHA secondary to chronic energy deficiency attributable to inadequate dietary intake in the face of exercise training. The potential for psychological factors to contribute to exercise-related FHA is unknown. Methods: In our cross-sectional comparison of exercising women ((n=61), exercise ≥2 hours/week, age 18-35 years, BMI 16-25 kg/m2, we tested whether psychological factors discriminated participants who were deemed eumenorrheic or had FHA as confirmed by physical examination, health history, metabolic and endocrine screening, menstrual calendars and daily urinary collection for reproductive hormone metabolites. Body composition, energy balance, and metabolic and endocrine parameters were assessed in addition to psychological factors (Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, Brief-Resilient Coping, Daily Stress Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Beck Depression Inventory) and eating behaviors (Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire). Results: Exercising women with FHA had a significantly lower BMI (20.2 vs 21.5 m/kg2, p<0.05), less body fat (22.8 vs 25.8%, p<0.05), and a lower fat mass (56.2 vs 58.3 kg, p<0.05), compared to eumenorrheic women. Fasting total triiodothyronine (75.4 vs 89.8 ng/dL, p<0.001), leptin (5.2 vs 9.0 ng/dL, p<0.01), and the ratio of actual to predicted resting metabolic rate (0.84 vs 0.92, p<0.01) were significantly lower in FHA women. FHA women demonstrated a greater drive for thinness (2.9 vs 2.1, p<0.05), greater dietary cognitive restraint (11.3 vs 7.4, p<0.001), and displayed more dysfunctional attitudes, i.e., need for social approval (39.1 vs 33.7, p<0.05) compared to eumenorrheic women but there were no differences in perceived stress, depression, mood states, brief resilient coping, or daily stress (p >0.05). Notably, FHA women displayed a significant positive correlation between need for social approval and indicators of stress (PSS: r=0.50), depression (Beck: r=0.59), and mood (POMS-depression/dejection: r=0.55), which was not apparent in eumenorrheic women. Additionally, EDI-drive for thinness was significantly positively correlated with many of the variables associated with stress (PSS: r=0.47), depression (Beck: r=0.51), dysfunctional attitudes (r=0.55), and mood disorders (POMS-depression-dejection: r= 0.37; tension/anxiety: r=0.44)(all p<0.05). Conclusion: In exercising women, psychological factors do not overtly discriminate reproductive status; however, in women with FHA, there appears to be a higher need for social approval and restrictive eating behaviors may be related to underlying indicators of psychological stress and depression.

US DoD PR054531
MON-638 The WBC Differential in Relation to DKA Severity
Authors: Alamri Bader Nasser , Ferris Jaclyn , Matheson Kara , De Tugwell Barna
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is well-known to be associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers including cytokines. Interestingly, an elevated white blood count (WBC) has been associated with a higher prevalence of acute and chronic diabetes metabolic complications, including DKA, and micro- and macrovascular complications (Tong et al., 2004; Xu et al., 2013). However, very few studies have looked at the relationship between WBC differential and the severity of DKA. For instance, a study looking at platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio found it to be a significant predictor of mortality in DKA patients admitted to the intensive care unit (Liu et al., 2016).

Aim: The goal of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the WBC differential and the severity of DKA.

Method: This study was conducted at Dalhousie University-affiliated hospitals in Nova Scotia, Canada. Ethics approval was obtained. The medical records of 646 emergency visits for 338 patients between November 2015 to December 2018 with a provisional diagnosis of DKA were retrospectively reviewed. 84 records were excluded due to non-anion gap metabolic acidosis, and 66 were excluded due to radiological or microbiological evidence of infection (positive urine, stool or blood cultures, pneumonia, etc.). Only the first set of blood investigations were analyzed to avoid post-treatment changes in blood composition. WBC differential (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, immature granulocyte, lymphocytes, metamyelocytes, monocytes, and myelocytes) and severity of DKA based on pH value (mild: 7.25–7.30, moderate: 7.24-7.00, and severe: <7.00) were analyzed.

Result: A total of 496 visits for 277 patients were analyzed, with about 1:1.2 male-to-female ratio and median age of 36.5 years (range 18–90 years), with no significant differences in sex or age in relation to the severity of DKA (P-value= 0.68 and 0.16, respectively). Leukocytosis (WBC >11 x10(9)/L) was seen in 65% (n=314). 32% (n=158) had mild DKA, while 56% (n=273) and 1% (n=57) had moderate and severe DKA, respectively.

With increased severity of DKA, higher WBC count and hemoglobin levels were observed (P-value= 0.002 and 0.037, respectively). This is not unexpected due to hemoconcentration. However, monocytes, immature granulocytes, and basophils (percentage unit of the total WBC) increased with the severity of DKA (P-value: 0.004, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). On the other hand, lymphocytes displayed an inverse relationship to DKA severity (P-value: 0.015). In contrast, eosinophils & neutrophils had no significant correlation to the DKA severity (P-value= 0.96, and 0.44, respectively).

Conclusion: The WBC differential (namely, monocytes, immature granulocytes, basophils, & lymphocytes) is associated with the severity of DKA. We propose that the WBC differential be further studied as a prognostic indicator in patients with DKA.
Trans Pornography
Authors: Pezzutto Sophie , Comella Lynn
Published: May 2020

This article introduces the field of trans pornography studies and makes a case for why studying it matters. We locate trans pornography within the broader field of porn studies, while also pointing to its importance to transgender studies. We map the history of trans pornography and examine the wider social, political, and economic forces contributing to the transformation of trans porn into a genre of mainstream straight porn. We discuss the economic organization of the trans porn industry and current industry trends, including geographical shifts in production and the rise of alternative production platforms. We address areas of future research and the need for more scholarship on the political economy of the trans porn industry, audiences and consumers, transmasculine representation in pornography, and research that focuses on trans porn production outside the United States.
Ajita Wilson
Authors: Richardson Matt
Published: May 2020

This article puts forward a consideration of Black womanhood by looking at the softcore films starring African American trans model and actress, Ajita Wilson. Wilson starred in many European softcore and hardcore films from the 1970s until her death in 1987. The author is particularly interested in Wilson's 1976 film The Nude Princess and the 1977 film Black Afrodite (Mavri Afroditi) for their use of soul aesthetics. Conceptualized in dialogue with Tanisha Ford's discussion of “soul style,” soul aesthetics are a combination of gestures as well as visual and auditory references in dress, music, literature, and language that were generated by Black people during a period of African and Caribbean anticolonialism and liberatory Black civil rights movements. Because they were born from radical movement politics, these references have transnationally come to symbolize the possibility for Black collective and self-transformation. The author offers an analysis of these films as an example of softcore pornography affirming Black womanhood and focuses on what this process of self-making has to offer Black trans and queer feminist thought.
Professionalism, Pay, and the Production of Pleasure in Trans Porn
Authors: Del Rio Korra , Pezzutto Sophie
Published: May 2020

In this essay, performer Korra Del Rio discusses how the porn industry has changed throughout her career. She shares her thoughts about shooting with small, independent studios, as well as large ones, and the importance of professionalism in generating sexual fantasies. She also considers issues of consent and physical and mental health.
StateHub-StatePaintR: rapid and reproducible chromatin state evaluation for custom genome annotation
Authors: Coetzee Simon G. , Ramjan Zachary , Dinh Huy Q. , Berman Benjamin P. , Hazelett Dennis J.
Published: May 2020

Genome annotation is critical to understand the function of disease variants, especially for clinical applications. To meet this need there are segmentations available from public consortia reflecting varying unsupervised approaches to functional annotation based on epigenetics data, but there remains a need for transparent, reproducible, and easily interpreted genomic maps of the functional biology of chromatin. We introduce a new methodological framework for defining a combinatorial epigenomic model of chromatin state on a web database, StateHub. In addition, we created an annotation tool for bioconductor, StatePaintR, which accesses these models and uses them to rapidly (on the order of seconds) produce chromatin state segmentations in standard genome browser formats. Annotations are fully documented with change history and versioning, authorship information, and original source files. StatePaintR calculates ranks for each state from next-gen sequencing peak statistics, facilitating variant prioritization, enrichment testing, and other types of quantitative analysis. StateHub hosts annotation tracks for major public consortia as a resource, and allows users to submit their own alternative models.
Effect of olive oil administration on the level of transforming growth factor β1 during orthodontic tooth movement in old and young guinea pigs
Authors: Suparwitri Sri , Noviasari Paramita
Published: May 2020

Background: Orthodontic tooth movement occurs due to continuous pressure on the teeth, causing the remodeling of the alveolar bone. The tissue will respond to bone growth factors, such as transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), fibroblasts, and bone morphogenetic proteins, for new bone formation. The remodeling process is balanced in young adults, but there is an imbalance in older individuals due to decreased differentiation, activity, and life span of osteoblasts, and increased osteoclasts. Olive oil contains lots of antioxidants and can slow down the aging process. This study aims to study the differences in TGF-β1 levels between old and young guinea pigs, and the difference between olive oil administration on TGF-β1 levels in old and young guinea pigs with orthodontic tooth movement.

Methods: 12 guinea pigs divided into 4 groups: young guinea pigs (4-5 months) not given olive oil; young guinea pigs given olive oil; old guinea pigs (30-31 months) given olive oil; old guinea pigs given olive oil. The teeth were moved using an open coil spring mounted on the brackets on both lower incisors. Gingival sulcus fluid samples were taken on days 0, 7 and 14 of the movement of the teeth. TGF-β1 levels were analyzed using ELISA.

Results: Three-way ANOVA and post hoc statistical tests showed that TGF-β1 levels in young guinea pigs were significantly higher than old guinea pigs on days 0, 7 and 14 (p<0.05). TGF-β1 levels in both young and old guinea pigs who were given olive oil was significantly higher than those not given olive oil on days 0, 7 and 14 (p<0.05).

Conclusions: TGF-β1 levels in the younger age guinea pigs were higher than the older age, and olive oil could increase TGF-β1 levels in the older age guinea pigs.
Recent advances in the epidemiology and prevention of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections
Authors: Feldman Charles , Anderson Ronald
Published: May 2020

The introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) 7 and 13 into national childhood immunization programs in the US in 2000 and 2010, respectively, proved to be remarkably successful in reducing infant mortality due to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), resulting in widespread uptake of these vaccines. Secondary herd protection of non-vaccinated adults against IPD has proven to be an additional public health benefit of childhood immunization with PCVs, particularly in the case of the vulnerable elderly who are at increased risk due to immunosenescence and underlying comorbidity. Despite these advances in pneumococcal immunization, the global burden of pneumococcal disease, albeit of unequal geographic distribution, remains high. Reasons for this include restricted access of children living in many developing countries to PCVs, the emergence of infection due to non-vaccine serotypes of the pneumococcus, and non-encapsulated strains of the pathogen. Emerging concerns affecting the elderly include the realization that herd protection conferred by the current generation of PCVs (PCV7, PCV10, and PCV13) has reached a ceiling in many countries at a time of global population aging, compounded by uncertainty surrounding those immunization strategies that induce optimum immunogenicity and protection against IPD in the elderly. All of the aforementioned issues, together with a consideration of pipeline and pending strategies to improve access to, and serotype coverage of, PCVs, are the focus areas of this review.
Development and validation of the English version of the Moral Growth Mindset measure
Authors: Han Hyemin , Dawson Kelsie J. , Choi YeEun Rachel , Choi Youn-Jeng , Glenn Andrea L.
Published: May 2020

Background: Moral Growth Mindset (MGM) is a belief about whether one can become a morally better person through efforts. Prior research showed that MGM is positively associated with promotion of moral motivation among adolescents and young adults. We developed and tested the English version of the MGM measure in this study with data collected from college student participants.

Methods: In Study 1, we tested the reliability and validity of the MGM measure with two-wave data (N = 212, Age mean = 24.18 years, SD = 7.82 years). In Study 2, we retested the construct validity of the MGM measure once again and its association with other moral and positive psychological indicators to test its convergent and discriminant validity (N = 275, Age mean = 22.02 years, SD = 6.34 years).

Results: We found that the MGM measure was reliable and valid from Study 1. In Study 2, the results indicated that the MGM was well correlated with other moral and positive psychological indicators as expected.

Conclusions: We developed and validated the English version of the MGM measure in the present study. The results from studies 1 and 2 supported the reliability and validity of the MGM measure. Given this, we found that the English version of the MGM measure can measure one’s MGM as we intended.
Тhe role of the internal use of mineral water in the complex treatment of patients with chronic viral hepatitis C with concomitant non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Izha Anna
Published: May 2020

Introduction: The use of modern drugs with direct antiviral effect allows achieving a stable virologic response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, in most cases, after the elimination of HCV infection, the progression of fibrosis continues with the development of its terminal stages and adverse outcomes for patients. The presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in these patients significantly increases the rate of progression of fibrosis and its complications, even after reaching SVR. Therefore, the search and development of new non-drug treatment technologies for this category of patients is relevant. Aim: to study the effectiveness of mineral water intake (with a high content of bicarbonates, sodium, potassium, and silicon compounds) in the new mode of use in the complex treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C with concomitant NAFLD. Methods: anamnestic, clinical, general clinical, biochemical (indicators of lipid metabolism, HOMA index), serological (markers of viral hepatitis C, HCV RNA PCR, qualitative and quantitative determination, genotyping), ultrasonographic studies of the digestive system and statistical methods. Results: Patients with chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1b in the phase of replication, minimal and moderate activity) with concomitant NAFLD, which had been divided into two groups, were examined. Patients of group I (control group) received a standard complex of treatment (diet therapy that corresponded to the Mediterranean diet, dosed exercise regimen, antiviral therapy - sofosbuvir (400 mg) and ledipasvir (90 mg) - 3 months). Patients of group II (the main group) additionally received an internal course intake of mineral water (MW) according to our methodology: 3 ml per kg of patient’s body weight 30-40-60 min before meals, depending on the acidity in the stomach, and the same dose after food intake, three times a day (course - 2 months, a break - 2 months, a second course - 2 months). Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment was carried out after six months from the start of treatment. Conclusion: The results prove the feasibility and effectiveness of using MW in a doubled dosage regimen in the complex treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C with chronic concomitant NAFLD, which was determined by improving lipid metabolism, reducing signs of insulin resistance, improving ultrasonographic signs and preventing the development of fibrotic changes in the liver.
SLAVERY IN CHARLES DICKENS’ NOVEL OLIVER TWIST
Authors: Saud Indah Wardaty
Published: May 2020

This research discusses the slavery experienced by the characters in the Oliver Twist novel. Those who have no family and no place to stay eventually become slaves who are forced to work for the benefit of the owner. They are treated as property and often get physical violence. This research aims to analyze the types of slavery that are reflected in Oliver Twist novel. This research using descriptive qualitative methods. Researchers used the Marxist approach and slavery theory to find the types of slavery contained in Oliver Twist novel. From the results of the analysis, it was found that there are 4 types of slavery in Oliver Twist novel, namely forced labor, sex slavery, child slavery and domestic servitude.
Being conductor of the orchestra: an exploration of district nursing leadership
Authors: Dickson Caroline , McVittie Chris , Smith Margaret Coulter
Published: May 2020

The purpose of the present study was to gain insight into how district nurses understand their leadership role. Data were generated through interviews and audio-journals and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Findings suggested that district nurses managing teams and caseloads experienced a burden of responsibility. Being creative problem solvers, they adopted facilitative ways of engaging with patients but directive approaches to team management. District nurses sharing leadership with multidisciplinary colleagues did not appear to experience this burden. Their leadership drew on their facilitative approaches to care-giving. If nurses enabled, rather than directed teams, they could create a context for developing autonomy and growth, easing the burden of responsibility.
In a time of uncertainty
Authors: Casey-Hardman Corina
Published: May 2020

Corin Casey-Hardman, our consultant editor, expresses her immense gratitude to those on the frontline as we navigate COVID-19
Palliative care in Jordan
Authors: Smyth Dion
Published: May 2020

Dion Smyth's review of palliative nursing on the internet
Pre-diabetes and cardiovascular risk: detonating the time bomb
Authors: Bostock-Cox Beverley
Published: May 2020

Pre-diabetes carries a cardiovascular risk. Beverley Bostock-Cox considers the interventions that can improve this risk in people with pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a state of impaired glucose regulation where the body moves from normal levels of blood glucose to a position where increasing levels of insulin resistance result in higher and harmful sugar levels in the bloodstream. As its name suggests, it is a precursor of type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular risk is also likely to be higher, mainly because of the links between hyperglycaemia and other known cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia. In people with pre-diabetes, the aim should be to treat all the modifiable risk factors through lifestyle interventions, especially by encouraging weight loss and increasing physical activity levels. Pharmacological interventions can be considered in addition to lifestyle change.
TEORIA DA COMPLEXIDADE ECONÔMICA E DESIGUALDADE DE RENDA: evidências para a Região do Grande ABC (2000-2010)
Authors: Ferreira de Almeida Eloiza Regina , Araujo Veneziano de Castro
Published: May 2020

Alguns estudos sugerem que o nível de complexidade econômica de um local está associado à desigualdade de sua renda. O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a alteração na complexidade econômica na RGABC e se esta dinâmica tem relação com as variações na desigualdade de renda no período de 2000 a 2010. Para isso, são avaliados conjuntamente índices de desigualdade (o coeficiente de Gini e índice de Palma) e de complexidade (ECI) dos municípios. Não é possível apontar uma redução da desigualdade de renda na região uma vez que os municípios mostram efeitos heterogêneos. Já quanto à complexidade, houve aumento de categorias de produtos exportados com vantagem comparativa revelada (RCA) em quatro dos sete municípios com aumento da complexidade econômica em três deles. Analisando conjuntamente, apenas Diadema, mostra comportamento diretamente alinhado ao esperado pela teoria: aumento na complexidade produtiva (aumento no ECI) e redução na desigualdade (redução do coeficiente de Gini).
Diversity of soil organic carbon and water characteristics under different vegetation types in northern Bengkulu, Indonesia
Authors: Hermawan Bandi , HERY SUHARTOYO  , BAMBANG SULISTYO  , BAMBANG GONGGO MURCITRO  , WELLY HERMAN
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Hermawan B, Suhartoyo H, Sulistyo B, Murcitro BG, Herman W. 2020. Diversity of soil organic carbon and water characteristics under different vegetation types in northern Bengkulu, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 1793-1799. Organic carbon and water characteristics are important soil properties that can easily degrade following the conversion of forest to cultivation land, but their levels of degradation depend on successive vegetation types after deforestation. The research aimed to evaluate the spatial diversity of soil organic carbon (SOC) and water characteristics on sites with annual and cash crops, as well as natural vegetation types. Forty-two undisturbed and disturbed soil samples were collected at 0-10 and 10-20 cm depths from plantation areas (rubber and oil palm), rice fields, shrub land, and grassland in Mukomuko, North Bengkulu, and Central Bengkulu Regencies of Bengkulu Province, Indonesia. Vegetation types were observed, and soil water characteristics were determined using a pressure plate apparatus unit from undisturbed soil samples, while SOC and particle-size distribution were analyzed from disturbed soil samples. The uppermost 10 cm soil layers were dominated by organic-C intervals of more than 3.0% while the 10-20 cm depths had intervals of less than 3.0%. Soils under oil palm and rice production had higher SOC of above 6.0% and water availability at the field capacity of 0.4-0.6 g g-1, particularly at 0-10 cm depths, while those under rubber and grass had a lower status of measured variables, particularly at 10-20 cm depth. There was a strong relationship (R2 = 0.63) between the soil organic carbon and water availability among study soils, suggesting the possibility to predict potential soil water deficits from organic matter status.
Effects of supplementation with phosphorus, calcium and manganese during oil palm frond fermentation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium on ligninase enzyme activity
Authors: Pazla Roni , Jamarun Novirman , Agustin Fauzia , Zain Mardiati , Arief Arief , Oktiacahyani Nesya
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Pazla R, Jamarun N, Agustin F, Zain M, Cahyani NO. 2020. Effects of supplementation with phosphorus, calcium and manganese during oil palm frond fermentation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium on ligninase enzyme activity. Biodiversitas 21: 1833-1838. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with phosphorus (P) in combination with calcium (Ca) and manganese (Mn) during oil palm frond (OPF) fermentation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium on ligninase enzyme activity and lignin degradation. This study was carried out using a randomized complete design with 3 treatments (addition of P, Ca and Mn) and 5 replicates. The following treatments were performed: T1 (P 1000 + Ca 2000 + Mn 150 ppm), T2 (P 1500 + Ca 2000 + Mn 150 ppm), and T3  (P 2000 + Ca 2000 +Mn 150 ppm). The data were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA), and differences between treatment means were tested using Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT). The parameters measured were as follows: lignin peroxidase (LiP) activity (U/mL), manganese peroxidase (MnP) activity (U/mL), crude protein (CP) content (%), crude fiber (CF) content (%) and the decrease in lignin (%). The results revealed a significant increase in LiP activity and CP content and a decrease in the lignin content (p<0.05) by the addition of P in the T3 treatment. However, the treatment nonsignificantly increased (p>0.05) MnP activity and significantly decreased (P<0.05) the CF content. In conclusion, supplementation of the OPF fermentation process with P 2000, Ca 2000, and Mn 150 ppm resulted in the highest ligninase enzyme activity and in decreased lignin content.
Short Communication: Community of phytoplankton in peatland canal, Riau, and wet dune slacks of Parangtritis, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Mawarni Annisa , Nur Azizah Firda Nabila , Sartika Heni Wahyu , Hadisusanto Suwarno , Putri Dwinda Mariska , Reza Akbar
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Mawarni A, Azizah FNN, Sartika HW, Hadisusanto S, Putri DM, Reza A. 2020. Short Communication: Community of Phytoplankton in peatland canal, Riau, and wet dune slacks of Parangtritis, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 1874-1879. The ecosystems of peatland canal and wet dune slacks have specific characteristics for phytoplankton community. This study aimed to elaborate on the distribution and abundance of phytoplankton community in peatland canal of Sungai Tohor Village, Meranti Islands, Riau and wet dune slacks of Parangtritis, Special Region of Yogyakarta. Phytoplankton was collected using a 2-L modified Van Dorn water sampler. In peatland, canal phytoplankton was sampled at 3 different locations, each with 5 repetitions. Meanwhile, in wet dune slacks, phytoplankton was sampled at 5 locations, each with 3 repetitions. Phytoplankton samples were filtered with Wisconsin plankton-net 120 mesh and fixed with 3 drops of formaldehyde 4%. The measured physical and chemical factors were air temperature, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, carbon dioxide, pH, depth, transparency, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate concentration. The results showed that the distribution and abundance of phytoplankton community in wet dune slacks were greater than those of the peatland community. This research found 18 species of phytoplankton in peatland canal, dominated by Synedra acus and 116 species of phytoplankton in wet dune slacks, dominated by Cyclotella meneghiniana.
Fungal isolates from marine sponge Chelonaplysilla sp.: Diversity, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities
Authors: Handayani Dian , ARTASASTA MUH. ADE , SAFIRNA NILDA , AYUNI DIANA FITRI , TALLEI TRINA EKAWATI , HERTIANI TRIANA
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Handayani D, Artasasta MA, Safira N, Ayuni DF, Tallei TE, Hertiani T. 2020. Fungal isolates from marine sponge Chelonaplysilla sp.: Diversity, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Biodiversitas 21: 1954-1960. The purpose of this research was to study the diversity of fungi associated with marine sponges Chelonaplysilla sp. and their bioactivities. Fungal isolation was carried out by the multilevel dilution method in Saboraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Twelve fungal isolates were successfully purified, then cultivated using rice for 4-6 weeks at room temperature and subsequently extracted using ethyl acetate. Antimicrobial activities of the fungal extracts were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans by using the agar diffusion method. The extracts of isolates Ch05 and Ch12 showed a significant antagonistic effect against S. aureus and E. coli with the diameter that ranged from 15 to 17 mm. Using the brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT), six fungal extracts revealed cytotoxic activity with LC50 <100 µg/mL. Isolate Ch10 was the most potential fungus with the strong cytotoxic activity of LC50 of 0.90 µg/mL. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was conducted also for six potential fungal extracts against breast cancer cell (T47D). The isolate Ch05 showed moderate cytotoxic activity with IC50 of 83.69 µg/mL. The molecular identification was carried out for potential fungi using the ITS marker. The results showed that Ch02 was Aspergillus oryzae, Ch05 was Phomompsis sp., Ch06 was Penicillium simplicissimum, Ch10 was B. bassiana and Ch12 was Aspergillus mellinus. This study concluded that fungal isolates from marine sponge Chelonaplysilla sp. can be explored further for new sources of antimicrobial and anticancer compounds.
Helminth fauna of Microtus cf. arvalis (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in Russia and adjacent countries
Authors: NADEZHDA Yu. KIRILLOVA  , Kirillov Alexander , ALEXANDER B. RUCHIN  , MAXIM V. TRUKHACHEV
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Kirillova NYu, Kirillov AA, Ruchin AB, Trukhachev MV. 2020. Helminth fauna of Microtus cf. arvalis (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in Russia and adjacent countries. Biodiversitas 21: 1961-1979. The helminth fauna of voles of the Microtus cf. arvalis group is reviewed focusing on the Russian fauna and that of adjacent territories. In total, 61 helminth species have been recorded in these rodents: Trematoda-14, Cestoda-21, Nematoda-25, Acanthocephala-1. The diversity of the helminth community of the common vole is due to the wide species range and abundance of this rodent. M. arvalis is the final host for most of the parasites recorded from this host species. Only 10 cestodes and trematodes species use common voles as intermediate and paratenic hosts. The core of this voles’ helminth fauna is formed by common species that parasitize many different rodent species. The helminth fauna of the common vole has been most intensively studied in Russia, where 45 species of parasitic worms have been recorded in rodents. The similarity of the helminth fauna of the common vole from different study regions is determined by both the geographical proximity of the research areas and the broad distribution of most of the M. cf. arvalis helminth species.
Assessment of the health status of the Sidi R'Ghies forest, Oum El Bouaghi, north-east Algerian
Authors: Rached Kanouni Malika , ZERROUKI Alia , LAHMAR Maroua , Beldjazia Amina , Kara Karima , Ababsa Labed
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Rached-Kanouni M, Zerrouki A, Lahmar M, Beldjazia A, Kara K, Ababsa. 2020. Assessment of the health status of the Sidi R'Ghies forest, Oum El Bouaghi, north-east Algerian. Biodiversitas 21: 1980-1988. In recent decades, the forest of Sidi R'Ghies has been degraded by human activity. The establishment of the state of the massif by a diagnosis on different forest plots is part of a project of monitoring and silvicultural management. The purpose of this study is to assess the health status of the Sidi R'Ghies forest. The methodology used was the visual assessment of the tree crown of the dominant species (i.e. Aleppo pine and holm oak) according to the protocols DEPEFEU, DEPERIS, and ICP Forests. These protocols were selected for adoption based on field observations and their applicability in record time. The results obtained indicate that the health status of the trees within the studied plots is declining. The DEPEFEU value index shows an average of 2.20 for Aleppo pine and 1.95 for holm oak while the DEPERIS has an average level of 4.56 in Aleppo pine and 3.07 in holm oak. ICP Forests has also contributed to providing clearer information on the consequences of this health situation by deducting an average visibility rate of 1.24 and 1.63; social status of 2.17 and 2.11 and competition of 1.71 and 2.49 for Aleppo pine and holm oak respectively. In general, the health status of the tree crown is average and almost adapted to the environmental conditions. In contrast, the carrying capacity of biodiversity is low and needs to be improved.
Dispersion of tongka langit banana in Buru and Seram, Maluku Province, Indonesia, based on topographic and climate factors
Authors: SAIYA HALVINA GRASELA , Hiariej Adriana , PESIK ANNEKE , KAYA ELIZABETH , HEHANUSSA MEITTY LOUISE , PUTURUHU FERAD
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Saiya HG, Hiariej A, Pesik A, Kaya E, Hehanussa ML, Puturuhu F. 2020. Dispersion of tongka langit banana in Buru and Seram, Maluku Province, Indonesia, based on topographic and climate factors. Biodiversitas 21: 2035-2046. The aim of this research is to understand the dispersion of tongka langit banana as one of the important endemic species in Maluku and also to know the topographic and climate factors hypothetically influencing the dispersion of tongka langit banana. The associated environmental factors are an initial approach that can be used to assess why the species only exists in certain locations. The data of coordinates were collected from survey activity; meanwhile, the slope and contour data were from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM); and the climate data were from Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency through statistic data publication. Then, all data were analyzed using Remote Sensing and GIS methods. The results showed that in Buru Island, tongka langit bananas were found in four locations, with climate condition was rather wet and found on slope grade of 0-8% and 8-15%. Whereas in Seram Island, tongka langit bananas were found in fifteen locations, with wet climate conditions, and on the same condition of slope as those found in Buru island.