bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Neo-Natal Mortality Trends in Pakistan: An Insight Using Equity Lens
Authors: Dawood Zainab , Majeed Naeem
Published: September 2020

Background: Almost 2.5 million children died in the first year of life in the year 2017. These account for almost half of the total deaths of children under the age of five years. Overall, child mortality has declined over the past two decades. Comparatively, the pace of decline in neonatal mortality has remained much slow. Significant inequalities in health across a number of dimensions – including wealth, ethnicity, and geography – continue to exist both between and within countries, and these contribute to neonatal mortality. This study aims to quantify the magnitude of inequalities in neonatal mortality trends by wealth quintile and place of residence with province wise segregation. Methods: The study was done using raw data from the last three Pakistan Demographic & Health Surveys (20017-18, 2012-13 and 2006-7). The concentration curves were drawn in Microsoft Excel 365 using scatter plot as graph type while the frequencies were calculated using SPSS 24. Results: The situation of inequity across provinces and in rural vs urban areas has slightly declined, however, gross inequities continue to exist.Conclusions: Presentation of outcomes data, such as neonatal mortality in various wealth quintiles is an effective way to highlight the inequities amongst income groups as it highlights the vulnerable and at-risk groups. In other countries, rural-urban distribution, or ethnic groups may also reflect similar differences and help in identifying high-risk groups.
Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome in Postpartum Patient With Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Case Report
Authors: Yang Yi , Zuo Jiacai , Li Shuhua , Zhang Shanshan , Duan Jinfeng , Zhang Yun , Tang Yufeng
Published: September 2020

BackgroundReversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a rare secondary headache disorder. It may have possibly fatal consequences but its pathophysiological basis is still debated. Herein, we presented a rare case of postpartum patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) suffered RCVS. Case presentationA 29-year-old nulliparous female underwent SIH as a result of painless labor and the clinical symptom of postural headache was relieved with a conservative treatment. Two days later, she suffered new-onset thunderclap headache with cortical blindness and generalized seizure; meanwhile, arterial pressure was higher than the normal value. MRI scan found FLAIR hyperintensities in the right cerebellum, left caudate nucleus and bilateral frontotemporal parietal occipital lobes with predominant vasogenic edema. Simultaneously, MR angiography revealed segmental vasoconstriction involving arteries of anterior and posterior cerebral circulations. Taken together, these findings were in accordance with the diagnostic criteria of RCVS and the abnormal MRI hypersignals were mostly consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). On day 10, she recovered completely and previous abnormal signals disappeared markedly with the treatment of bed rest, high-dose fluids, non-steroidal drug, calcium channel blocker and antiepileptic drug.ConclusionsRCVS can occur in postpartum patients with SIH, and PRES may also encounter in these cases. A heightened awareness of the disease accompanied by typical clinical and imaging features are associated with an early diagnosis and a better prognosis.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Nomograms for Bone Metastasis in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Zhangheng , Hu Chuan , Tong Yuexin , Zhao Chengliang
Published: September 2020

BackgroundBone metastasis (BM) is one of the common sites of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and patients with BM have a worse prognosis than those without it. We aimed to develop two nomograms to quantify the risk of BM and predict the prognosis of RCC patients with BM.MethodsWe reviewed patients with newly diagnosed RCC with BM in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2015. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of BM in RCC patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine independent prognostic factors for BM in RCC patients. Diagnostic and prognostic nomograms were established and evaluated by calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsThe study included 37554 patients newly diagnosed with RCC in the SEER database, 537 of whom were BM patients. Risk factors for BM in RCC patients included sex, tumor size, liver metastasis, lung metastasis, brain metastasis, N stage, T stage, histologic type, and grade. Independent prognostic factors for RCC with BM were grade, histologic type, N stage, surgery, brain metastasis, and lung metastasis. Calibration, ROC curve, and DCA showed that both diagnostic and prognostic nomograms showed good performance.ConclusionsDiagnostic and prognostic nomograms were established to predict the risk of BM in RCC and the prognosis of RCC with BM, respectively. These nomograms strengthen each patient's prognosis-based decision making, which is of great significance in improving the prognosis of patients.
Bioinformatic Characteristics and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Calycosin-Anti-Bisphenol A-related Osteosarcoma
Authors: Tan Jiachang , Wu Zhenjie , Chen Jun , Mo Hao , Liu Bin , Yuan Zhenchao
Published: September 2020

BackgroundEnvironmentally, bisphenol A (BPA) is well-known as a pollutant caused human health risk, such as osteosarcoma (OS). OS, a deadly bone neoplasia, may occur in children and adults. Recently, the anti-OS pharmacotherapy prescribes limitedly. Interestingly, our previous experiments evidence that calycosin exerts the potential anti-OS action in vitro. Thus, in this report, we aimed to characterize and detail the therapeutic targets and mechanisms of calycosin-anti-BPA-related OS by means of network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses. ResultsIn details, the bioinformatic data revealed the mapped, core targets, biological functions, molecular pathways of calycosin to treat BPA-related OS. The computational analysis indicated that molecular docking ability and characteristic of core targets in calycosin to treat BPA-related OS were identified. Meanwhile, all optimal functions and pathways of calycosin-anti-BPA-related OS were revealed, as detailed in pathway networks. ConclusionsTaken together, the network pharmacology and structural biology findings illustrate the core biotargets, pharmacological functions and pathways of calycosin-anti-BPA-related OS. Potentially, these identified core targets may attribute to the scientific development of calycosin against BPA-related OS.
Correlation Between COVID-19 Severity, Body Mass Index and Hepatic Steatosis: A Retrograde Cohort Study
Authors: Qandeel Haitham , Tayyem Raed , Fataftah Jehad , Qasem Muhannad , Sami Rawan , Ashour Haneen , Hasanat Subreen , Tayyem Rand , Alqassieh Rami
Published: September 2020

Background Obesity and fatty liver steatosis are already considered metabolic risk factors that may aggravate the severity of COVID-19. This study aims to investigate the correlation between COVID-19 severity, body mass index, and hepatic steatosis. MethodsConsecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, admitted to a hospital devoted to COVID-19 patients, were enrolled in the study. COVID-19 severity was classified as severe versus non-severe based on the condition at time of admission to ICU. Obesity was assessed by Body Mass Index (BMI). CT-scan of the patient liver was used to check for the hepatic steatosis. Fibrosis-4 score was calculated.Results230 patients were enrolled in this study. Obesity strongly and positively correlated with severe COVID-19 illness. Hepatic steatosis had rather less of a correlation with COVID-19 severity. Multivariable-adjusted association between hepatic steatosis or obesity, or both (as exposure) and COVID-19 severity (as the outcome) revealed an increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness with obesity, with hepatic steatosis, and with hepatic steatosis among obese patients. ConclusionsBMI remained the most noticeable factor that strongly correlated with COVID-19 severity. Obesity even in the absence of hepatic steatosis greatly increased the risk of severe COVID-19. This association remained significant after adjusting for likely confounders. The presence of liver steatosis even in non-obese patients increased the risk of severe COVID-19 but to a much lesser degree compared to obesity. The risk of steatosis to COVID-19 severity was greater in those with than those without obesity. This association also remained significant after adjusting for likely confounders
Development and Validation of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Skills Scale Among Japanese College Students
Authors: Sakata Masatsugu , Toyomoto Rie , Yoshida Kazufumi , Luo Yan , Nakagami Yukako , Aoki Shuntaro , Irie Tomonari , Sakano Yuji , Suga Hidemichi , Sumi Michihisa , Muto Takashi , Shiraishi Nao , Sahker Ethan , Uwatoko Teruhisa , Furukawa Toshi A.
Published: September 2020

Background: There are many different skill components used in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). However, there is currently no comprehensive way of measuring these skills in patients. Assessing pretreatment CBT skills will contribute to prediction of treatment responses in the context of CBT for depression.Methods: We developed the CBT Skills Scale from five pre-existing instruments measuring major CBT components: self-monitoring, behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, assertiveness training, and problem-solving. University students (N = 847) who participated in a fully factorial randomized controlled trial of smartphone CBT were assessed with the CBT Skills Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), and the short form of the Japanese Big Five Scale. Structural validity was estimated with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and internal consistency evaluated with Cronbach’s α coefficients. Construct validity was evaluated with the correlations between each factor of the CBT Skills Scale, the PHQ-9, the GAD-7, and the Big Five Scale.Results: The EFA supported a five-factor solution based on the original instruments assessing each CBT skill component. The CFA showed sufficient goodness-of-fit indices for the five-factor structure. The Cronbach’s α of each factor was 0.75-0.81. Each CBT skills factor was specifically correlated to the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and the Big Five Scale.Conclusions: The CBT Skills Scale has a stable structural validity and internal consistency with a five-factor solution and appropriate content validity concerning the relationship with depression, anxiety, and personality. Trial registration: UMIN, CTR-000031307. Retrospectively registered on February 14, 2018.
Developing a Short-Form Version of the HIV Disability Questionnaire (SF-HDQ) for Use in Clinical Practice: A Rasch Analysis
Authors: O'Brien Kelly K , Dzingina Mendwas , Harding Richard , Gao Wei , Namisango Eve , Avery Lisa , Davis Aileen M
Published: September 2020

Background: Disability is an increasingly important health-related outcome to consider as more individuals are now aging with HIV and multimorbidity. The HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ) is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM), developed to measure the presence, severity and episodic nature of disability among adults living with HIV. The 69-item HDQ includes six domains: physical, cognitive, mental-emotional symptoms and impairments, uncertainty and worrying about the future, difficulties with day-to-day activities, and challenges to social inclusion. Our aim was to develop a Short-Form version of the HIV Disability Questionnaire (SF-HDQ) to facilitate use in clinical and community-based practice among adults living with HIV.Methods: We used Rasch analysis to inform item reduction using an existing dataset of adults living with HIV in Canada (n=941) and Ireland (n=96) who completed the HDQ (n=1037). We evaluated overall model fit with Cronbach’s alpha and Person Separation Indices (PSIs) (≥ 0.70 acceptable). Individual items were evaluated for item threshold ordering, fit residuals, differential item functioning (DIF) and unidimensionality. For item threshold ordering, we examined item characteristic curves and threshold maps merging response options of items with disordered thresholds to obtain order. Items with fit residuals >2.5 or less than -2.5 and statistically significant after Bonferroni-adjustment were considered for removal. For DIF, we considered removing items with response patterns that varied according to country, age group (≥50 years versus <50 years), and gender. Subscales were considered unidimensional if ≤5% of t-tests comparing possible patterns in residuals were significant. Results: We removed 34 items, resulting in a 35-item SF-HDQ with domain structure: physical (10 items); cognitive (3 items); mental-emotional (5 items); uncertainty (5 items); difficulties with day-to-day activities (5 items) and challenges to social inclusion (7 items). Overall models’ fit: Cronbach’s alphas ranged from 0.78 (cognitive) to 0.85 (physical and mental-emotional) and PSIs from 0.69 (day-to-day activities) to 0.79 (physical and mental-emotional). Three items were rescored to achieve ordered thresholds. All domains demonstrated unidimensionality. Three items with DIF were retained because of their clinical importance.Conclusion: The 35-item SF-HDQ offers a brief, comprehensive disability PROM for use in clinical and community-based practice with adults living with HIV.
Vietnamese people’s well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: an online survey 
Authors: Hoang Tuyen Dinh , Colebunders Robert , Fodjo Joseph Nelson Siewe , Nguyen Nhan Phuc Thanh , Tran Trung Dinh , Vo Thang Van
Published: September 2020

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, alongside the restrictive measures implemented for its control, may considerably affect people’s lives particularly vulnerable persons such as children, elderly and people with underlying diseases. This study aimed to assess the well-being of Vietnamese people after COVID-19 lockdown measures were lifted and life gradually returned to normal in Vietnam.Methods: An online survey was organized from 21st to 25th April 2020 among Vietnamese residents aged 18 and over. Data were collected concerning the participants’ health status, COVID-19 preventive behaviour, and consequences of the preventive measures. The WHO-5 Well-Being Index was used to score participants’ well-being.Results: A total of 1922 responses were analyzed (mean age was 31 years; range: 18-76). Factors associated with a high well-being score included older age, eating healthy food, practising physical exercise, working from home, and adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measures. Female participants, persons worried about their relatives’ health, and smokers were more likely to have a low well-being score.Conclusions: The Vietnamese people continued to follow COVID-19 preventive measures even after the lockdown was lifted. Most respondents scored high on the well-being scale. However, the emergence of a new COVID-19 outbreak with an epicenter in Da Nang city is expected to increase public anxiety and mental health problems. It is clear that together with preventive measures, developing strategies to guarantee the well-being of the Vietnamese people’s is equally important.
An Analysis of the Services Provided by Municipal Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in an Urban District in South Africa: A Key Contribution Towards Universal Access to Care.
Authors: Thomas Leena Susan , Buch Eric , Pillay Yogan
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Municipal Ward based PHC Outreach Teams are potential game-changers in ensuring access to care in vulnerable communities. Who are they? What do they actually do? Can they help South Africa realize universal health coverage?Methods:Descriptive secondary data analysis of team activities in the Ekurhuleni health district, South Africa covering approximately 280 000 households with one million people. This was part of a larger study exploring the effectiveness of these teams.Results:Study findings illustrated that CHWs in these teams provided early screening and referrals for pregnant women and malnourished children. They distributed condoms and chronic medication to homes. They screened and referred for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, HIV and TB. The teams also undertook defaulter and contact tracing, the majority of which was for HIV & TB clients. Psychosocial support provided was in the form of access to social grants, access to child and gender based violence protection services, food parcels and other services.Conclusion:Community Health Workers form the core of these teams and perform several health and psychosocial services in households and to poor communities in South Africa, in addition to general health education. The teams studied provided a range of activities across many health conditions (mother & child related, HIV & TB, non-communicable diseases), as well as social services. Ward based outreach teams provided comprehensive care in a large-scale urban setting and can improve access to care.
Effect of marketable ages on meat quality through fiber characteristics in goose
Authors: Weng Kaiqi , Huo Weiran , Gu Tiantian , Bao Qiang , Hou Li-e , Zhang Yu , Zhang Yang , Xu Qi , Chen Guohong
Published: September 2020

Background: Goose meat is more and more popular among consumers because of its good quality. The fiber characteristics, as a key determinant factor, contributing to meat quality has been well demonstrated, and the marketable ages are also closely related to meat quality in livestock and chicken. However, little is known about the effect of different marketable ages on the meat quality through fiber characteristics in goose. Results: Here, 1-day, 28-day and three market-age old (70, 90 & 120 days) Yangzhou geese were selected and their fiber characteristics were investigated. The results showed that only fast-twitch fibers were observed in the breast muscle irrespective of the ages, while little slow-twitch fibers could be identified in leg muscle in three marketable ages, especially in gastrocnemius and extensor digitorum longus. As for the fiber diameter, a rapid upward trend was observed in breast muscle from 70 days to 90 days, and the corresponding values were 19.88 to 26.27μm, respectively, and it remained stable 90d thereafter. While the diameter and cross-sectional area of muscle fiber in leg muscle increased with ages. In addition, the proximate composition and physical properties was measured at different ages. 120-day-old geese had richer intramuscular fat and protein content both in breast and leg meat, as well as lower moisture content among three marketable ages. The higher lightness and pressing loss and the lower redness and shear force was observed in the breast and leg meat of 70-day-old geese compared with the 90 and 120-day-old geese. Conclusions: Taken together, although longer marketable age did not affect muscle fiber type in geese, it resulted in a thicker muscle fiber area, richer intramuscular fat and protein content, redder and chewier meat. As a result, the reasonable marketable age should be taken into account to improve the meat quality in the goose production.
Evaluation of the Online Virtual Reality 360° World Cultural Heritage Tourism under the Charter on Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage during the Covid-2019 Outbreak
Authors: Ren Wei , Chen Xianhong
Published: September 2020

This study has formulated an evaluation framework for the interpretation and presentation performance of Online virtual reality 360°world cultural heritage tourism (OVRWCHT) approach during the covid-2019 break. The research framework is based on seven main principles of the Charter of the World Cultural Heritage Interpretation and Presentation theory, and establishes evaluation criteria for each principle. The World Cultural Heritage Site Hailongtun Tusi was selected as the case study, the Online virtual reality 360° system was for this site was established and evaluated accordingly. A collection of 1062 effective online questionnaires were support the evaluation. The results show that the OVRWCHT made by the research team which has received relatively wide recognition from stakeholders during the COVID-2019 outbreak period. However, it still needs more data support to improve technology and theory, especially transferability of OVRWCHT in other countries besides China. Finally, this study suggests that the ICOMOS should continue to issue relevant charters (documents) on how emerging technologies which may activate cultural heritage interpretation and presentation.
The Comparison of Water Intake Patterns and Hydration Biomarkers among Young Adults with Different Hydration Statuses in Hebei, China
Authors: Zhang Jianfen , Zhang Na , Liu Shufang , Du Songming , He Hairong , Ma Guansheng
Published: September 2020

Background: Water is essential for maintaining the functions of human body properly. Studies have shown that the amounts and contributions of fluids were associated with health and hydration status. The objectives of the study was that to explore the differences of water intake pattern and hydration biomarkers among young males and females in different hydration statuses.Methods: A cross-sectional study was implemented among 159 young adults aged 18-23 years in Hebei, China. The total drinking fluids and water from food were obtained by 7-day 24-h fluid intake questionnaire and duplicate portion method, respectively. The osmolality and electrolyte concentrations of the 24h urine and plasma were tested. Differences in optimal hydration (OH), middle hydration (MH) and hypohydration (HH) groups, divided by the osmolality of 24h urine, were compared. Results: Totally, 156 participants (80 males and 76 females) completed the study. OH group had highest proportions of participants met the recommendations of TWI (total water intake) and total drinking fluids of China (34.5%, 36.2%), while HH group had lowest (7.7%, 0.0%). OH group had higher amounts of TWI, total drinking fluids, water and lower amounts of SSBs (sugar-sweetened-beverages) (p<0.05). The percentage of total drinking fluids in TWI decreased from 54.1% in OH group to 42.6% in HH group (p<0.05). OH group had higher and lower contributions of water and SSBs (sugar-sweetened-beverages) to total drinking fluids (p<0.05); produced 551~950 mL more, excreted significantly less quantity of solutes of urine (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in plasma osmolality among the three groups (p>0.05). Among both males and females, the amounts of TWI and water were higher in OH group than others (p<0.05). Males had 4.3% lower, 5.4% and 1.1% higher contributions of milk and milk products, SSBs and alcohol to total drinking fluids than females (p<0.05); males had higher volume of urine than females only in MH group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences of plasma osmolality between males and females in the same group (p>0.05). Conclusions: Young adults with optimal hydration status had better water intake pattern and less concentrated urine. Females maybe have better water intake pattern than males.Trial registration: Chinese clinical trial registry. Name of the registry: Relationship of drinking water and urination. Trial registration number: ChiCTR-ROC-17010320. Date of registration: 01/04/2017. URL of trial registry record: http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=17601&htm=4.
Estimation of vector competence of Moroccan Sand fly Populations Using a Proteomic Approach
Authors: Daoudi Mohamed , Dong George , Boussaa Samia , Martel Caroline , Hafidi Mohamed , Boumezzough Ali , Olivier Martin
Published: September 2020

Background Phlebotomine vector born disease are distributed throughout the world, and different pathogens are associated with varying degrees of disease severity. In Morocco, sand fly populations are incriminated in the transmission of several pathogens, such Leishmania spp. and phlebovirus, in particular the most relevant sand fly species as the case of Phlebotomus papatasi. This species is the main vector of Leishmania major in Morocco, and incriminated in phlebovirus transmission. Not to pass over without investigating its possible role on the transmission of entomopathogenic parasite already reported in literature. Methodology and finding The present study focused on proteomic analysis in Phlebotomus papatasi from four localities in Morocco. Proteomic analysis in female P. papatasi was performed with Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 239 identified proteins for Leishmania spp., 26 identified proteins for phlebovirus and 1132 identified proteins for nematode were detected in the 20 pools of P. papatasi from investigated localities. The microscopic examination of 1752 sandflies collected showed, the infection of two specimens of female’s P. sergenti with Tetranematid Didilia spp. and potential Microfilariae in Imintanout locality (Z2).Conclusion This study presents the first report of nematodes in sand flies of Africa. Also, the first use of proteomic tools for estimation of vector competence of P. papatasi which could be a specific tool to a better understanding of the vectorial capacity of Moroccan sandflies population.
Oval Forceps Assisted with Small Incision for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture
Authors: Zhao Yan-Rui , Liu Yang , Yin Bo , Li Yihan , Guo Meng , Zhou Junlin
Published: September 2020

Purpose: To review the clinical outcomes of treatment acute Achilles tendon rupture using oval forceps assisted with small incision.Methods: This was a retrospective study of 23 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with this technique. Distance from calcaneal insertion to rupture site and the operation time were recorded. During follow-up, all the occurrence of complications was recorded. The AOFAS score and the ROM of the repaired ankle joint were recorded at 3 and 6 months.Results: All patients were followed up for 7-15 months. There have no cases of Achilles tendon re-rupture and sural nerve injury were found. All incisions healed by first intention, except for one case of delayed suture knot irritation. The AOFAS score was 82–100 (median, 92) at 3 months and 92–100 (median, 98) at 6 months. The 3-month ROM was 28–37, and the 6-month ROM was 36–49.Conclusion: The technique of oval forceps assisted with small incision for minimally invasive treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture is a safe, reliable, and have an extremely low complication rate. Furthermore, this technique is easy to learn, utilizes simple instruments, and is cost-effective, making this technique an attractive alternative to traditional techniques.
Knowledge, attitude and practices related to COVID-19 among young Lebanese population
Authors: Sakr Samer , Ghaddar Ali , Sheet Imtithal , Hamam Bassam
Published: September 2020

Background: As the world faces the most serious and widespread pandemic in recent history, claiming nearly 700,000 lives and infecting close to 17 million individuals, controlling the spread of COVID-19 is still limited to efforts done by the general population implementing rules and restrictions passed by world governments and organizations. Awaiting the development of a cure or a vaccine, the best approach to fighting the spread of this disease is mostly preventative depending largely on individuals’ compliance. This study aims to test the KAP towards COVID-19 in Lebanon. Methods: A cross-sectional study of Lebanese population comprising of 1861 participants was used to analyze the knowledge, attitude and practices of individuals concerning COVID-19 in relationship to multiple variables such as age, gender, marital status, living area, education level, occupation in addition to their degree of worrying about this disease. Results: Our participants showed an overall appropriate knowledge (67.1%), positive attitude and practices that ranged from fair to very good, depending on its type, regarding COVID-19. When the components of KAP were analyzed with respect to variables, we found that levels of knowledge and practices positively correlated with people who were ever married, older, with higher degrees, worked in a healthcare field and with the degree of worry about getting COVID-19. Conclusions: In the absence of a vaccine, pandemics such as the current COVID-19 are best combatted by increasing public awareness leading to collective preventative practices. A key factor in this effort lies in creating a good environment that enhances people’s compliance with considerate pandemic behavioral rules in which governing bodies must be pivotal.
Sleep quality and mental health of medical workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Zheng Yahua , Wang Lili , Feng Lingfei , Ye Lingxiao , Zhang Aiping , Fan Rui
Published: September 2020

Purpose To assess the sleep quality, mental health status and associated factors among medical workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted and medical workers in Ningbo, China were recruited. Sleep quality was evaluated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Mental health status was evaluated by Symptom Checklist 90(SCL-90). Logistic regression and generalized multi-factor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) analysis were utilized to explore the risk factors and their interactions on sleep quality and mental health status. Results 207 participants were surveyed, 34.3% were found with poor sleep quality (total PSQI score > 10), mainly manifested as sleep disturbance (92.8%). 27.05% were found with mental symptoms (Global severity index > 1.5), mainly manifested as obsessive-compulsive (25.6%). Multivariate logistic analysis showed male (OR = 3.886, 95%CI = 1.061-14.239, P = 0.040), working years >15 years (OR = 4.505, 95%CI = 1.561-12.998, P = 0.005), nurse (OR = 5.642, 95%CI = 1.347-23.632, P = 0.018), more night shifts (OR = 3.098, 95%CI = 1.308-7.336, P = 0.010), supporting Wuhan (OR = 3.413, 95%CI = 1.120-10.395, P = 0.031) were associated with poor sleep quality. GMDR analysis showed there was a two-factor interaction between working years and working shifts (P = 0.0107). No significant factors and interactions were found associated with mental symptoms. Conclusions About one-third of medical workers suffered from sleep and mental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in the current study. Interventions for sleep and mental problems among medical workers were needed based on related factors.
Kakais with Religious Beliefs and Rituals
Authors: TEZOKUR Muhammed
Published: September 2020

Today, Kakaî communities in Iran known as Ahl-e Haqq live in Iraqi provinces especially in settlements in Mosul, Kirkuk-Dakuk, Diyale-Hanekin, Tuzhurmatı, Suleymaniye-Kelar. They undertake to hide their beliefs because of security concerns. The Kakailik synchretic Islamic religious belief is heterodox. It finds Zoroastrianism, Mitraism, Brahmanism and Hinduism, early tenets of the Kakai belief being incarnation and reincarnation. An important Kakailik place of pilgrimage is the Sultan İshak Tomb. For the Kakaî, Sultan İshak, who founded their spiritual sultanate is considered to be second in rank only to ‘Alī. The Kakaî believe in both resurrection and reincarnation. While some Kakaî claim to be Turkmen, others consider themselves to be Kurdish. Scholars such as Al-Azzawi, Edmonds, Hawramani and Moosa come to mind regarding studies on the Kakaî in Iraq.
Indole Derivatives as Anti-Tubercular Agents: An Overview on their Synthesis and Biological Activities
Authors: Reddy Gangireddy Sujeevan , Pal Manojit
Published: September 2020

Background:

The indole framework is considered as one of the privileged structures
in the area of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery because compounds containing
this framework have shown to possess a remarkable ability to bind with many receptors or
proteins with high affinity. It is therefore not surprising that the indole nucleus is a frequently
found moiety in many bioactive agents or drugs. Indole derivatives have also been explored
or studied for their anti-tubercular properties for a long time. The growth inhibition of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis (MTB) in vitro and in vivo by the gut microbiota metabolite indole
propionic acid (IPA) is one of the recent examples. Notably, tuberculosis (TB), an intractable
disease and a major cause of death worldwide, has caused an alarming rise in the number of
TB cases recently because of two main reasons, i.e., a several-fold rise among HIV-infected
patients and increased drug resistance by some bacterial strains. Thus, the identification of
new agents or potential drugs against TB is urgently needed.

Methods:

While the specific pharmacological target or mechanism of action (MOA) for antitubercular
activities has been reported for many indole derivatives, the MOA is not well defined
or known for a number of indole derivatives though they were found to be active
against MTB. In the current review article, we have focused on both types of indole derivatives
that have shown activities against MTB. The indoles with known MOA are further segregated
based on this pharmacological target reported or indicated whereas other indoles are
classified based on the type of anti-TB properties shown by them. The literature for the last
20 years as well as related to up to date knowledge and information was searched on Pubmed,
Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and various other databases until August 2020.

Results:

A diverse range of functionalized indole derivatives, such as indole-based alkaloids,
simple indoles, fused indoles, amide/peptide derivatives of indole, isatin derivatives, etc.,
have been reported to possess anti-tubercular activities. The anti-tubercular activities, in silico
studies (if reported) and the chemical syntheses (in most of the cases) of representative
indole derivatives are presented briefly in the current article. The papers referenced by this
review allow a deep analysis of the status of the indole-based anti-tubercular agents explored
over the past two decades.

Conclusion:

This review aims at stimulating renewed interest and effort in the discovery and
development of new indole-based agents or potential drugs for the treatment of TB. The
emergence of modern methods, especially those based on transition metal-catalyzed reactions,
has opened up tremendous opportunities in the area of indole synthesis. The desired
goal would be to have utilized these modern methodologies for the identification of potent
and promising agents to fight against MTB.
Strategic Aspects of NPY-Based Monoclonal Antibodies for Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer
Authors: Desai Drashti , Shende Pravin
Published: September 2020

:

Immunotherapy emerges as a treatment strategy for breast cancer marker, diagnosis and
treatment. In this review, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)-based passive and peptide vaccines as active
immunotherapy approaches like activation of B-cells and T-cells are studied. Passive immunotherapy
is mAbs-based therapy effective against tumor cells, which acts by targeting HER2,
IGF 1R, VEGF, BCSC and immune checkpoints. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and GPCR are the areas
of interest to target BC metastases for on-targeting therapeutic action. Neuropeptide S (NPS) or
NPS receptor 1, acts as a biomarker for Neuroendocrine tumors (NET), mostly characterized by synaptophysin
and chromogranin-A expression or Ki-67 proliferation index. The protein fusion technologies
arise as a promising avenue in plant expression systems for increased recombinant Ab accumulation
and cost-efficient purification. Recently, mAbs-based immunotherapy effectiveness is
appreciated as a novel therapeutic combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to reduce the
side effects and improve therapeutic responsiveness. Synthetic drug resistance will be overcome by
mAbs-based therapy through several clinical trials and detection methods need to be optimized for
accuracy and precision. Pharmacokinetic attributes need to be accessed for preferred receptor-agonist
activity without ligand accumulation.
Identification of 3-Bromo-1-Ethyl-1H-Indole as a Potent Anticancer Agent with Promising Inhibitory Effects on GST Isozymes
Authors: Yılmaz Can , Arslan Sevki , Mutlu Dogukan , Konus Metin , Kayhan Abdussamet , Kurt-Kızıldoğan Aslıhan , Otur Çiğdem , Ozok Omruye , Kivrak Arif
Published: September 2020

Background:

Indole based heterocyclic compounds plays important roles in pharmaceutical chemistry due to their unexpected
biological and pharmacological properties.

Objective:

Herein, we describe novel biological properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer) of 3-bromo-1-ethyl-1H-indole
(BEI) structure.

Method:

BEI was synthesized from 1-Methyl-2-phenylindole and N-bromosuccinimide and were characterized by using 1H and 13C
NMR. 1H and 13C NMR. Cytotoxity was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis analysis of BEI was determined by Arthur™ imagebased Cytometer. Different methods was applied to assessed the antioxidant activity of BEI. Molecular docking studies were conducted
to determine the interactions of bonding between GST isozymes and BEI.

Results:

According to the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity assays, BEI compound showed less total antioxidant activity compared
to trolox standard whereas it showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger and Phytophora eryhtrospora. Notably,
BEI compound demonstrated substantial selective cytotoxicity for the first time towards cancer cell lines and there existed significant
decrease in the percentage of live cells treated with BEI, in comparison to the control ones. Interestingly, BEI exhibited a promising
glutathione S-transferase isozymes inhibition.

Conclusion:

The results of this study suggest that BEI seems to be a promising molecule to be used in design of new anticancer agents
that provide superiority to present commercial anticancer drugs.
Targeting Microglial Polarization to Improve TBI Outcomes
Authors: Nathalie Matti , Polineni Sai P. , Chin Christopher N. , Fawcett Daniela , Clervius Helene , Maria Quesada S.L. , Legnay Fernandez , Rego Lucas , Mahavadi Anil K. , Jermakowicz Walter J. , SW-T Lee , Yokobori Shoji , Gajavelli Shyam
Published: September 2020

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is still the worldwide leading cause of mortality and morbidity
in young adults. Improved safety measures and advances in critical care have increased
chances of surviving a TBI, however, numerous secondary mechanisms contribute to the injury in
the weeks and months that follow TBI. The past 4 decades of research have addressed many of the
metabolic impairments sufficient to mitigate mortality, however, an enduring secondary mechanism,
i.e. neuroinflammation, has been intractable to current therapy. Neuroinflammation is particularly
difficult to target with pharmacological agents due to lack of specificity, the blood brain barrier,
and an incomplete understanding of the protective and pathologic influences of inflammation
in TBI. Recent insights into TBI pathophysiology have established microglial activation as a hallmark
of all types of TBI. The inflammatory response to injury is necessary and beneficial while the
death of activated microglial is not. This review presents new insights on the therapeutic and maladaptive
features of the immune response after TBI with an emphasis on microglial polarization, followed
by a discussion of potential targets for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. In
aggregate, this review presents a rationale for guiding TBI inflammation towards neural repair and
regeneration rather than secondary injury and degeneration, which we posit could improve outcomes
and reduce lifelong disease burden in TBI survivors.
COVID-19: Insights into Structure-Function Relationship, Drug Targets and Drug Design Strategies for Novel-Coronavirus 2019
Authors: Bhardwaj Snigdha , Singh Shaminder , Bhatia Sonam
Published: September 2020

Background:

Novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) imposed deadly health calamity with unexpected
disastrous situation alarming the globe for urgent treatment regimes. World Health Organization
(WHO) termed the coronavirus disease as COVID-2019 on February 11, 2020 and announced its outbreak
as pandemic on 11 March 2020. The first infection was noticed in Wuhan, Hubei province, China,
in December 2019, and it is believed that the corona-virus is transmitted to humans through bats as a
reservoir involving human to human transfer. However, the proper intermediary transmission channel is
yet to be unestablished.

Methods:

Elderly populations and patients with concomitant symptoms are more at risk as compared to
middle-aged patients as it may progress to pneumonia followed by severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS) and multi-organ failure. Morbidity rates estimated in patients are less, i.e., 2-3%, but the dearth
of a specific treatment strategy to prevent coronavirus infection is a major concern.

Results:

Currently, anti-viral and anti-malarial drugs are in practice for the management of COVID-19
disease along with plasma therapy in the absence of a potent vaccine. Besides, home isolation and social
distancing are the precautionary measures adopted by many countries to minimize the spread of infection.
Various studies have been conducted, and numerous are still going on to establish specific treatment
for COVID-19.

Conclusion:

In this review, we summarized information on the structural components of COVID19 virus
with special emphasis on the virus genome, life cycle, the importance of protease enzyme, the role of
spike proteins in viral replication, validated drug targets, ongoing effective treatments for COVID-19
management and the latest research on drug design to develop anti-CoV drugs.
An exploration of English teachers’ beliefs and practices of speaking assessment: bring English teachers into focus
Authors: Nurhalimah Nurhalimah , Husna HR Nida , Hidayat Didin Nuruddin
Published: September 2020

The present study aimed at exploring and describing English teachers' beliefs and their practices of speaking assessment through a semi-structured interview. This study employed a qualitative method. There were two sets of research questions: (1) What were English teachers’ beliefs about their roles in assessing students’ speaking? (2) How did English teachers assess students’ speaking? There were nine teachers from three different levels of education participated in this study. The findings indicated that the beliefs of English teachers and their practices in assessing speaking were not always aligned with one another due to some factors. The pedagogical implications of the study included a need for (1) guidance to teachers in how to conduct a good speaking assessment, (2) guidance to teachers in how to develop their speaking assessment rubric that can be modified to meet the needs of the school context and later build the accountability system at the school.
Conducting an Employment Selection Validation Study at a Food Processing Plant
Authors: Johnson Mark A. , Jolly James P.
Published: September 2020

Two consultants were hired to design and implement an employee selection system for a sugar processing plant. They conducted job analysis, collected performance appraisal data (criteria), worked to establish the validity of the test battery, and performed other activities related to completing a professional test validation study. The case ends with the plant manager enthusiastically announcing to the consultants and departmental managers that testing would begin at the packing plant in ten days, that other company facilities would soon follow suit, and that the corporate office was very impressed with the near term implementation of testing at all of its processing plants. The consultants informed the plant manager that his plan was premature and a lot more analysis was required before testing could begin at the current location and that extending the testing to the other plants was beyond the scope of the current validation study. The manager told the consultants “we need to make this happen” and later asked “can you make this happen?”
Behavior of Markets and Its Evidence to Set Prices: An Outlook
Authors: Sengupta Indrani
Published: September 2020

Markets, a very broader term in economics and has a wider perspective. It’s an amalgamation of buyers and sellers of a product and the spread between them. The transactions for commodities may be also through letters, telegrams, telephones, internet etc. It refers to a commodity and the buyers and sellers who are in direct competition with one another. There are certain crucial structure and patterns of market that gets reflected by nature of competition prevailing in a particular market structure. Price is one such determinant……The paper provides a conceptual framework about the adjustments of price and the various mechanisms it goes through in the process of setting of the final price. The paper attempts to discuss some qualitative parameters that have been used in setting up of the prices in various types of distinct markets where there are different equations goes on between the transacting parties.
RKR-потенциалы молекул -=SUP=-14-=/SUP=-N-=SUP=-16-=/SUP=-O, -=SUP=-16-=/SUP=-OH в основном электронном состоянии
Authors: Борков Ю.Г. , Сулакшина О.Н. , Козлов С.В. , Величко Т.И.
Published: September 2020

In this work, molecular parameters of the Dunham type, obtained from the global processing of the experimental vibrational-rotational and rotational transition frequencies of ^{14}N^{16}O and ^{16}OH molecules, were used to construct the RKR potential energy curves. Pointwise defined potentials were approximated by the expansions in variable z_{S}=(r-r_{e})/r. Ab initio calculations of the potential energy functions of these molecules were carried out using the MOLPRO program. Comparisons of the obtained results with those known from the literature are given.
Поглощение мощного света свободными электронами в кристаллах: внутризонные электрон-фононные осцилляции Раби
Authors: Перлин Е.Ю. , Иванов А.В. , Попов А.А.
Published: September 2020

Absorption of high-intensity visible or near-IR pulsed laser radiation at free electrons in crystals is calculated in the modified resonance approximation. The probabilities $W_{exc}$ of intraband transitions with a change in the electron energy by $\hbar(\omega\pm\omega_l)$, where $\omega$ is the radiation frequency and $/omega_l$ the frequency of longitudinal optical phonons involved in the process, are derived. It is shown that specific electron–phonon Rabi oscillations with the frequency $\Omega_R$ can occur and radiation is absorbed only until the point in time $\tau_1$, at which the first maximum in the dependence $W_{exc} (t)$, where t is the time elapsed from the beginning of the laser pulse, is reached. It is shown that, in the case of prebreakdown radiation intensities, the processes of high orders in field of the radiation wave substantially influence $W_{exc}$, $\tau_1$, and $\Omega_R$.