bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Authors: Elbasha Yara I. , El-Maaty Dina M. Abo , Mesbah Noha M. , Ramadan Asmaa M. , Bakry Sayed M. , Mansour Ahmad M. , Elbeialy Adel A.
Published: February 2022

Background
Chronic inflammation causes articular bone and cartilage degeneration in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite recent advances, management of RA is frequently accompanied with negative consequences, and ineffectiveness. Access to treatment is still hampered by many factors including financial restrictions. As a result, medications that reduce inflammation and bone resorption that are both safer and less expensive are required. Mesenchymal stem cells have recently been identified as a potential therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Aim of Study:
The aim of this study was to examine the anti-arthritic effect of rat bone marrow-MSCs, oligosaccharides and human placental extract, individually and combined on RA model, using Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in rats.
Materials and Methods
In female rats, rheumatoid arthritis was induced by injecting Complete Freund's adjuvant in the paw of hind limbs. Treatments with rat bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells via intravenous route, oligosaccharides, and human placental extract were given individually and in combination via intra-peritoneal route. Measurement of complete blood picture (CBC), ESR, cortisol, urea, uric acid, liver and renal biochemical parameters were carried out to determine the safety and efficacy of the different combinations. Inflammatory cytokines TNF- α, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured to assess anti-inflammatory effects. Histopathological analysis of bone sections was carried out too.
Results
Our findings showed that adding innovative treatments involving oligosaccharides and human placental extract to rat-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a CFA-induced arthritic rat model resulted in a favorable anti-arthritic inflammatory effect as shown in reduction of inflammatory cytokines, with complete safety on blood picture, renal and liver functions, cortisol, and ESR. Histopathological analysis went concurrent with these results showing healing and remodeling of osteoporotic lesions induced in arthritic rat model.
Conclusions
The combination of rBM-MSCs via intravenous route, with oligosaccharides, and human placental extract could be employed as a powerful therapeutic medication to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Antiviral efficacy of cerium oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Nefedova Alexandra , Rausalu Kai , Zusinaite Eva , Vanetsev Alexander , Rosenberg Merilin , Koppel Kairi , Lilla Stevin , Visnapuu Meeri , Šmits Krišjānis , Kisand Vambola , Tätte Tanel , Ivask Angela
Published: February 2022

Nanomaterials have been proposed as good candidates for the elimination of viruses due to their multimodal mechanisms of action. Here, we tested the antiviral potential of cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles which is largely unexplored.Two types of nano-CeO2 particles with opposing surface charge, nano-CeO2(+) and nano-CeO2(-), were assessed for their capability to decrease the plaque forming units (PFU) of four enveloped and two non-enveloped viruses during 1 h exposure. Statistically significant antiviral activity of nano-CeO2 towards enveloped coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus A/WSN/1933 was registered already at 20 mg Ce/l. Significant decrease in PFU of other two enveloped viruses, transmissible gastroenteritis virus TGEV and bacteriophage φ6 was evidenced at 200 mg Ce/l. For all the enveloped viruses the maximum reduction of PFU after 1 h exposure to nano-CeO2 exceeded 2 logs, that has been considered as the lowest biologically meaningful activity in antiviral applications. For most of the enveloped viruses, 1 h exposure to nano-CeO2 resulted in ≥ 4 log reduction in PFU. As expected, the sensitivity of non-enveloped viruses towards nano-CeO2 was significantly lower than that of enveloped viruses. Until the highest tested concentration, 2000 mg Ce/l neither of the nano-CeO2 showed an effect on picornavirus EMCV and only nano-CeO2(-) caused a slight non-monotonic response in MS2 bacteriophage.Parallel testing of antiviral activity of Ce3+ ions and SiO2 nanoparticles allows to conclude that nano-CeO2 activity was due to neither released Ce3+ ions nor nonspecific effects of any nanosized particulate. Interestingly, we did not evidence any significant antiviral activity of Ag nanoparticles at 1 h exposure. This result referred to notably higher antiviral activity of nano-CeO2 compared with nanosilver that has been generally considered as active against viruses. Although exhibiting antiviral effects, the antibacterial activity of nano-CeO2 was very low. These results along with non-existent cytotoxicity nano-CeO2 allow us to propose nano-CeO2 for specific antiviral applications.
Transfusion of older red blood cells increase the risk of postoperative infectious complications in pediatric scoliosis surgery: a propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Wang Lipeng , Liu Jiangli , Chu Shuaishuai , Cui Ying , Ma Zhengliang , Xia Tianjiao , Gu Xiaoping , Chen Yongquan
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Pediatric scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery often need RBCs transfusion. However, the effects of storage time of transfused blood on perioperative outcomes remain undefined.Methods: A retrospective study including 539 pediatric patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery was conducted. These patients were divided into 2 groups: the fresh group, who received exclusively blood cells stored for 14 days or less; the older group, who received exclusively blood for more than 14 days. The effect of red blood cell storage time on length of hospital stay and postoperative complications was analyed by propensity score matching. Results: The propensity score matching yielded 78 well-matched pairs after adjusting for potential confounders in baseline characteristics. Patients who received older blood had not prolonged length of stay compared with those received fresh blood (13.0 ± 3.8 days vs 11.8 ± 2.6 days, p = 0.09). However, multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that older group had a higher incidence of infectious complications compared with fresh group (OR = 2.15 [95% CI, 1.08–4.31]; P = 0.029). Conclusions: In pediatric scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery, transfusion of older RBCs had a higher incidence of postoperative infectious complications but was not associated with prolonged length of hospital stay.
Anatomical Dissection as a Source of Clinically Relevant Findings with Potential Medico-Legal Implications
Authors: Dzetkuličová Veronika , Handlos Petr , Vojtíšek Tomáš , Joukal Marek
Published: February 2022

PurposeBodies bequeathed to anatomical departments of medical schools in the Czech Republic for anatomical teaching and research belong to donors whose manner of death is deemed natural and does not require further investigation with medico-legal autopsies. However, there are rare cases when critical medico-legal findings related to the cause/manner of death or clinically relevant past surgical procedures can be found during anatomical dissection. This article also adds to the wealth of literature supporting the argument that pathologies and clinically relevant findings encountered by medical students during anatomical dissection are an opportunity for problem-based learning and integration of clinically oriented modules into early undergraduate phases of medical degree curricula.MethodsThis article gives an example of an extrapericardial iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia which was most likely caused by instrument manipulation during a thoracic surgical procedure and went unobserved for three years until the body was subject to anatomical dissection. ResultsAlthough this clinical finding was most likely unconnected to the cause of death of the donor, the case is a cautionary example that bodies undergoing anatomical dissection could contain evidence of previous surgical incaution during invasive procedures. ConclusionsFor the benefit of anatomical technicians and educators, this article also points out some examples when signs of suspicious death could be overlooked by medical professionals who establish a cause of death in bodies which could be a subject to body fixation and subsequent anatomical dissection.
Adolescent Electronic Cigarette Use: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Scientific Research
Authors: Li Jin , Wang Chen , Wang Xiangyu , Duan Zhiguang
Published: February 2022

Background
Adolescent electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is an emerging global public health concern as nicotine addiction may be established among this vulnerable population. Its study has generated a burgeoning body of research charactering a wide spectrum. However, the development and current status of research on this alarming issue have been inadequately examined in an objective, systematic and visualized way. This bibliometric analysis aims to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive overview of scientific literature in relation to adolescent e-cigarette use.
Methods
A total of 943 eligible papers published from 2011 to 2021 were retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection. Performance analysis was used with various bibliometric indicators to examine the publication trend, most prolific countries, institutions, authors, journals, and highly cited articles. Science mapping based on VOSviewer was employed to visualize the collaboration networks between countries and authors, research hotspots, and their evolutions.
Results
Publications on adolescent e-cigarette use has increased significantly during the past decade. The USA dominated this field in all aspects and the University of Southern California was the most productive institution. There were clear collaborative author groupings, but their transnational collaborations were generally weak. Major research themes were identified in the extant literature, including epidemiology and KABs; risk factors; health implications; gateway effect; and prevention interventions. The keywords such as ‘vapor’, ‘flavor’, ‘advertising’, ‘dual use’ reflected research emphases in early studies while ‘bullying’, ‘COVID-19’, ‘social norms’, and ‘heated tobacco products’ were the emerging research trends.
Conclusion
This study is presumed to provide an overall picture of research on adolescent e-cigarette use, which may help scholars and public health practitioners stay abreast of the research developments and serve as a reference and entry point for further investigation into this multifaceted phenomenon.
Anatomo-radyographic study in individuals with and without medial patellofemoral ligament rupture
Authors: KABAKCI Ayse Gul , Ögüt Emre , Tekbaş Volkan Tolga , Bozkır Memduha Gülhal
Published: February 2022

Purpose; The purpose of the present study was to evaluate of patella elevation (patellar height) and trochlear groove angle in individuals with and without medial patellofemoral ligament rupture for surgical reconstruction and possible clinical use.Materials and Methods; The study had a retrospective design, and included 149 people (53 females, 96 men) who were between the ages of 18 and 36 admitting to the Orthopedic Clinic of Bartın State Hospital with various complaints in knee joints and different preliminary diagnoses between January 2005 and December 2020. 61 of the 149 people in the study were patients with medial patellofemoral rupture. Two groups were examined, those with and without medial patellofemoral rupture.Results; As a result of the study, while significant differences were detected in trochlear groove angle, there wasn’t significant differences in patella elevation (patellar height) between the groups (with and without medial patellofemoral ligament rupture).Conclusion; Patella elevation (patellar height) was similar in the group with and without medial patellofemoral rupture, while a significant difference was found in the trochlear groove angle.
Screening the best candidates for primary tumor resection among stage IV breast cancer patients, and identifying associated prognostic factors after surgery
Authors: Chi Changxing , Zhu Lujian , Zhao Yihan , Li Chenge , Zhu Yin , Chen Zhiyi , Zhao Youhong , Xu Yejin
Published: February 2022

Background
We analyzed overall survival (OS) following the surgical resection of primary tumor (PT) in patients with stage IV breast cancer (S4BC). We generated a predictive model to test our hypothesis that surgery will only benefit a subset of S4BC patients, depending on properties of PT, and patient responsiveness to other treatments, as well as PT resection.
Methods
For our analysis, we selected 5297 S4BC patients from the SEER database. We screened for potential prognostic indicators related to patients who received PT resection (PTR) surgery, using multivariate logistic regression analysis, in our attempt to identify an optimal patient population for PT surgery. Furthermore, we assessed the performance and practical value of our nomogram using calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC), and decision curve analysis (DCA) of our internal validation and external validation cohorts (VC).
Results
Overall, we selected 5297 eligible patients with S4BC. Among them, 2276 (42.97%) underwent PTR surgery. Based on our observation, the PTR surgery was an independent correlate of prolonged median OS duration in patients with S4BC, according to multivariate Cox analysis (49 months vs. 29 months, p:0.001). S4BC patients, who underwent PTR, were then arbitrarily separated into either a training (TC) or validation cohort (VC). Next, logistic regression analysis including age, gender, TN stage, histological type, tumor location, degree of differentiation, distant metastases occurrence, and treatment was used to construct a predictive model, which was then displayed as a clinical nomogram.
Conclusion
We established a nomogram that identified the optimal candidates for surgical PTR among patients with S4BC.
Multi-species meta-analysis identifies transcriptional signatures associated with cardiac endothelial responses in the ischaemic heart
Authors: Li Ziwen , Solomonidis Emmanouil , Berkeley Bronwyn , Tang Michelle , Stewart Katherine Ross , Perez-Vicencio Daniel , McCracken Ian , Spiroski Ana-Mishel , Gray Gillian , Barton Anna , Sellers Stephanie , Riley Paul , Baker Andrew , Brittan Mairi
Published: February 2022

Myocardial infarction remains the leading cause of heart failure. The adult human heart lacks the capacity to undergo endogenous regeneration. New blood vessel growth is integral to regenerative medicine necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the pathways that regulate vascular regeneration. We present a comprehensive meta-analysis of integrated single cell RNA-sequencing data of coronary vascular endothelial cells from the developing and adult mouse and human heart spanning healthy and acute and chronic ischaemic cardiac disease. We identify species-conserved gene regulatory pathways aligned to endogenous neovascularisation. We annotated injury-associated temporal shifts of the endothelial transcriptome and validated four genes: VEGF-C, KLF4, EGR1 and ZFP36. Moreover, we show that ZFP36 regulates human coronary endothelial cell proliferation and define that VEGF-C administration in vivo enhances clonal expansion of the cardiac vasculature post-myocardial infarction. Finally, we constructed a coronary endothelial cell meta-atlas, crescENDO, to empower future in-depth research to target pathways associated with coronary neovascularisation.
Oxygen Uptake Response to Switching Stairs Exercise by Non-parametric Modeling
Authors: Su Steven , Yu Hairong , Xie Tian
Published: February 2022

Background: Oxygen uptake plays a vital role in evaluating endurance performance during exercise and is widely used for metabolic assessment. In order to guarantee the accuracy of oxygen uptake estimation, suitable modeling method applied to estimating cardiorespiratory response during interval training exercise should be investigated. Methods: In this study, the oxygen uptake during the exercise phase (i.e. ascending or descending) of the stairs exercise is recorded and the experimental dataset features ten participants and a range of different exercise periods. Based on the designed experiment protocol, a non-parametric modeling method with kernel-based regularization is generally applied to estimate the oxygen uptake changes during the interval stairs exercise that is close to the daily life status. Results: The non-parametric model exhibits the smallest variance and higher accuracy than fixed-order models in both one period and two periods during exercise. Moreover, the fitness of two periods is significantly lower than those of half or one period for the non-parametric model and the IR model is quite different in different periods, which indicates that the model of the system is changing with exercise periods. Conclusions: Compared with the fixed-order models on accuracy, stability and compatibility, the modeling results demonstrate the effectiveness of the non-parametric modeling approach. The influence of exercise duration on estimated fitness reveals that the model of the phase-oxygen uptake system is not time-invariant related to respiratory metabolism regulation and muscle fatigue. Accordingly, it allows us to study the humans’ conversion mechanism at different metabolic rates and facilitates the standardization and development of exercise prescriptions.
MMP-9 plasma level as a biomarker of cochlear implantation outcome in cohort study of deaf children
Authors: Matusiak Monika , Oziębło Dominika , Ołdak Monika , Rejmak Emilia , Dobek Domink , Kaczmarek Leszek , Skarżyński Henryk
Published: February 2022

Objective: If before cochlear implantation it was possible to assay biomarkers of neuroplasticity, it might identify those children with congenital deafness who were at risk of poor speech and language rehabilitation outcomes later on. Study Design: a prospective cohort study Methods: a group of 40 children aged up to 2 years old with DFNB1-reated congenital deafness was observed over three follow-up intervals up to 18 months after cochlear implant (CI) activation. Children were assessed for auditory development by using the LittlEARS Questionnaire (LEAQ) score and at the same time measurements were made of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plasma levels. Results: There were significant negative correlations between plasma levels of MMP-9 at 8 months follow-up and LEAQ score at cochlear implantation (p = 0.04) and LEAQ score at 18 months follow-up (p = 0.02) and between MMP-9 plasma levels at 18 months follow-up and LEAQ score at cochlear implantation (p = 0.04). As already reported, we confirmed a significant negative correlation between MMP-9 plasma level at cochlear implantation and LEAQ score at 18 months follow-up (p = 0.005). Based on this latter correlation, two clusters of good and poor CI performers could be isolated. Conclusions: The study shows that children born deaf who have an MMP-9 plasma level of less than 150 ng/ml at cochlear implantation have a good chance of attaining a high LEAQ score after 18 months of speech and language rehabilitation. This indicates that MMP-9 plasma level at cochlear implantation is a good prognostic marker for CI outcome.
Comparative assessment of two behavioural risk factors (physical inactivity and unhealthy diet) among obese Bengalee women in rural and urban areas of West Bengal, India
Authors: Bose Chaitali , Sultana Julekha , Banerjee Oly , Singh Siddhartha , Mukherjee Sandip , Syamal Alak Kumar
Published: February 2022

Background:Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are the behavioural risks, closely associated with obesity which is a metabolic risk leading to the development of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Dietary transition and sedentary living is also significant even in rural India which might be accountable to uprising NCDs there. So the aim of our study was to assess dietary pattern and unhealthy dietary factors, to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity among obese bengalee women in rural and urban areas of West BengalMethods:This study was conducted in Hooghly district of West Bengal, India and 150 female subjects (75 from rural area and 75 from urban area) of 20-40 years age group were recruited for the study considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Different physical and socio-demographic variables were measured and dietary information was collected using questionnaire. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to collect information about physical activities of the study participants. Different anthropometric parameters (body weight, height, Body Mass Index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], hip circumference [HC], waist to hip ratio [WHR] and waist to height ratio [WHtR]) were measures as the strong prediction tools for assessing their risks related to NCDs.Results:We found that most of the daily energy comes from carbohydrate in the diet of both groups, consumption of food groups like animal protein and dairy products, fruits, visible fat and sugar were significantly higher in urban group whereas dietary fibre, green leafy and other vegetables, pulses and nuts intake was significantly high in rural group. Physical inactivity prevalence was 64% in rural and 78.7% in urban and there was significant difference between rural and urban group regard to all the anthropometric indices.Conclusions:In summary, the behavioural risk factors those were assessed are undoubtedly apprehensive and anthropometric indices are pointing out towards associated possible metabolic risks which were poorer in urban group than rural, so further clinical investigation along with proper intervention measure is indispensible.
An Optimization Algorithm for Interdependent Tasks and Variable Task Queues under the Dynamic Resources Pool
Authors: TSUI Lanyi
Published: February 2022

In the era of data transformation, the timeliness needed to be ensured and avoid the system downtime caused by task congestion as well, which puts forward higher requirements for the system stability and the intelligence of task scheduling. However, the manual maintenance which used to be adopted for IT batch or scheduling in data center and jobs platform domain cannot meet the requirements. For instance, existing methods of task scheduling lack some valid scheduling standards in face of thousands of tasks or relatively complicate dependencies. Therefore, task scheduling ought to do automated assignments instead of manual configuration in order to solve the problem of task congestion and achieve an appropriate allocation of resources. Firstly, we establish a mapping model between real-time resources pool and fluctuating hardware resources, and we conduct a prediction function for resources by algorithm. Then we quantify the resource consumption of each task and intelligently assign each of tasks to an appropriate segment of resource units. In addition, we propose a model that is composed of function of task dependencies and function of intelligent allocation to ensure the order of task execution to avoid deadlock and recursion. Finally, we develop a program to automatically allocate task sequences to resource clusters. This program can intelligently schedule tasks to improve system stability and solve the problem of task congestion. In conclusion, our algorithm has a significant effect in the following aspects: 1) Our algorithm reduces the resources consumed by the task queue,saves the 50 daily computing hours for average task and improves the operational efficiency by 400%. 2) The algorithm significantly reduced the fluctuation range. The CPUtime of a task daily fluctuates between approximately + 5% and − 5% now, compared with about 300% before. 3) The model makes the task number curve smoother and more uniform after the algorithm intervention.
MiR-323a regulates ERBB3/EGFR and blocks gefitinib resistance acquisition in colorectal cancer
Authors: zhang yuanzhou , liang shunshun , Xiao Bowen , hu jingying , pang yechun , liu yuling , yang juan , ao junping , wei lin , Luo Xiaoying
Published: February 2022

The rapid onset of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) limits its clinical utility in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, and pan-erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase (ErbB) treatment strategy may be the alternative solution. The aim of this study was to develop a possible microRNA multi-ErbB treatment strategy to overcome EGFR-TKI resistance. We detect the receptor tyrosine kinase activity in gefitinib-resistant colorectal cancer cells, ErbB3/EGFR is significantly activated and provides a potential multi-ErbB treatment target. MiR-323a-3p, a tumor suppressor, could target both ErbB3 and EGFR directly. Apoptosis is the miR-323a-3p inducing main biological process by functional enrichment analysis, and The EGFR and ErbB signaling are the miR-323a-3p inducing main pathway by KEGG analysis. MiR-323a-3p promotes CRC cells apoptosis by targeting ErbB3-phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/PKB protein kinase (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β)/EGFR-extracellular regulated MAP kinase (Erk1/2) signaling directly. And miR-323a-3p, as a multi-ErbBs inhibitor, increase gefitinib sensitivity of the primary cell culture from combination miR-323a-3p and gefitinib treated subcutaneous tumors. MiR-323a-3p reverses ErbB3/EGFR signaling activation in gefitinib-resistant CRC cell lines and blocks acquired gefitinib resistance.
Global ENSO Modulation of MJO and its Impacts on South America
Authors: Fernandes Laís G. , Grimm Alice Marlene
Published: February 2022

Changes in the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and its impacts on the South American monsoon season during different El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) states (El Niño – EN, La Niña – LN, neutral – NT) are analyzed in the global context of the MJO propagating anomalies of convection and circulation. The background ENSO-related anomalies influence several aspects of MJO (relative occurrence of phases, propagation, convection and teleconnections), and therefore modify the MJO impacts on South America (SA), such as precipitation anomalies and frequency of extreme events, as well as their temporal distribution throughout the MJO cycle. Changes include: (1) a delay in the peak of the teleconnections between central-eastern Pacific and SA, from MJOphase8 in LN to MJOphase1 in EN; (2) enhanced MJO convection in the central-east subtropical South Pacific in MJOLNphases7+8 and a little further east in MJOENphases8+1, in a region efficient in generating tropics-extratropics teleconnections to SA, producing rainfall anomalies over Central-East SA (CESA), especially the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ), strongest one phase earlier in LN (MJOLNphase8) than in EN (MJOENphase1), and a little shifted east in the latter than in the former; (3) predominant increase (or reduction) in the frequency of extreme events over densely populated SA regions where both ENSO and MJO contribute in the same direction, with the greatest increase over CESA (including SACZ) during EN, in MJOENphase1, and over Southeast SA (SESA), in MJOENphase3; (4) enhanced amplitude in both states, EN and LN, of the first continental intraseasonal dipole-like mode of precipitation variability between CESA and SESA, with maximum opposite anomalies in CESA, the center with largest amplitude, in phases 1 and 4 for EN, and phases 8 and 5 for LN. Significant effects can also be observed in other regions, as northeast and northwest SA.
Pressure-induced monotonic enhancement of Tc to over 30 K in the superconducting Pr0.82Sr0.18NiO2 thin films
Authors: Wang Ningning , Yang Mingwei , Yang Zhen , Chen Keyu , Zhang Hua , Zhang Q. H. , Zhu Zhihai , Uwatoko Yoshiya , Gu L. , Dong Xiaoli , Sun Jianping , Jin Kuijuan , Cheng Jinguang
Published: February 2022

The successful synthesis of superconducting infinite-layer nickelate thin films with the highest Tc ~ 15 K has reignited great enthusiasms on this family of potential analogue to high-Tc cuprates. Pursuing a higher Tc is always an imperative task in studying a new superconducting material system. Here we report high-quality Pr0.82Sr0.18NiO2 thin films with Tconset ~ 17 K synthesized by carefully tuning the amount of CaH2 in the topological chemical reduction and the effect of pressure on its superconducting properties by measuring electrical resistivity under various pressures in a cubic anvil cell apparatus. We find that the onset temperature of the superconductivity, Tconset, can be enhanced monotonically from ~ 17 K at ambient pressure to ~ 31 K at 12.1 GPa without showing signatures of saturation upon increasing pressure. This encouraging result indicates that the Tc of infinite-layer nickelates superconductors still has room to go higher and it can be further boosted by applying higher pressures or strain engineering in the heterostructure films.
Exploring College Adjustment in First-Year Gen Z Medical Students and Its Contributing Factors
Authors:   Master of Medical Education Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Zhuhra Rahma Tsania , H Wahid Mardiastuti ,   Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia,   Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Rita Mustika Rita Mustika ,   Master of Medical Education Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia,   Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia,   Medical Education Center, Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute (IMERI), Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia,   Medical Education Collaboration Cluster, Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute (IMERI), Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Published: February 2022

First-year medical students need to adjust to university life to achieve optimal education. Notably, generation Z (Gen Z) students recently admitted to medical school possess unique characteristics that may affect their adjustment. However, limited studies have evaluated the adjustment of Gen Z medical students. In line with this, the present study explores the adjustment process of Gen Z medical students in their first year of study. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was held from January 2020 to October 2020. The respondents comprised first-year students from two medical institutions. Maximum variation sampling was applied to select the respondents. Moreover, 11 focus group discussions (FGDs) with students and 10 in-depth interviews with lecturers were conducted. Curriculum documents were examined, and then the data were analysed thematically. Results: Three themes were identified: i) domain; ii) process and iii) contributing factors to college adjustment. Academic, social and personal-emotional components of adjustment were included in the domain theme. The process theme consisted of transition, transitiontransformation and transformation phases. Meanwhile, the contributing factors consisted of existing and supportive factors. Student characteristics, including demographics, mentality, prior educational experiences and social support, were considered the existing factors, while technology, learning system and well-being constituted the supporting factors. Conclusion: College adjustment involves various domains, processes and contributing factors that are unique to Gen Z characteristics, technology dependence and culture. Therefore, well-prepared faculties are needed to support the adjustment of Gen Z students.
Translation and Validation of American Diabetes Association Diabetes Risk Test: The Malay Version
Authors:   School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia, Mohd Fauzi Nurul Fatihah , Wafa Sharifah Wajihah ,   School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia, Abdullah Mohd Ibrahim ,   School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia, Raj Naresh Bhaskar ,   School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia, Mat Hassan Nurulhuda ,   Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
Published: February 2022

Background: Early detection of high-risk people for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using a simple, non-invasive and cost-effective assessment tool helps to identify and prevent members of the community from developing this disease. Therefore, this study aims to translate the American Diabetes Association (ADA) diabetes risk test for Malaysians and then evaluate its validity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2019 and April 2019. The instrument underwent forward and backward translation according to Behling and Law’s technique. Content validity was performed by two experts and face validity was conducted among 35 convenience samples from Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Both were analysed using content validity index and face validity index, respectively. Results: All respondents were Malay, and had attained tertiary education with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 20.63 (2.80) years old and BMI of 30.45 (5.99). Among the respondents, 57.1%, 94.3% and 80% were female, single and having a household income below RM1,500, respectively. The Malay translated instrument achieved high I-content validity index (CVI) [0.5–1.0] and S-CVI/Ave [0.93] as well as high I-face validity index (FVI) [0.86–0.97] and S-FVI/Ave [0.91] for understandability, and high I-FVI [0.77–0.91] and S-FVI/Ave [0.85] for clarity. Conclusion: The Malay version of the ADA diabetes.
Preliminary Comparison of Transseptal Microscopic Versus Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery in a University Teaching Hospital
Authors:   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Zakaria Zaitun ,   Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia,   Brain and Behaviour Cluster, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Idris Zamzuri ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia,   Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia,   Brain and Behaviour Cluster, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Abdullah Jafri Malin ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia,   Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia,   Brain and Behaviour Cluster, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Abdullah Baharudin ,   Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Ghani Abdul Rahman Izaini ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia,   Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia,   Brain and Behaviour Cluster, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
Published: February 2022

Background: Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is an increasing preferred treatment for sella lesions. In a university teaching hospital, the novel endoscopic TSS was adopted with ongoing resident teaching. We evaluated a single institutional series of preliminary comparisons of transseptal microscopic with endoscopic TSS. Methods: A retrospective data analysis included 37 patients and 19 patients who underwent microscopic and endoscopic TSS, respectively. The demographic characteristics of the patients, intra-operative analyses, morbidity, mortality and visual assessments were included in this analysis. Results: The study included 31 men and 25 women, and median age at surgery was 49 years old (range 14–70 years old). There were no differences between the rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula, sinus complications, anterior pituitary hormone deficiency and diabetes insipidus between the groups. Total length of stay and intensive care unit stay were similar between the groups. Patients who underwent endoscopic TSS were at significantly increased risk of epistaxis (P = 0.010), respiratory event (P = 0.014) and post-operative visual deterioration prior to discharge (P = 0.032). Conclusion: Endoscopic TSS is a promising procedure that allows sufficient visualisation of the surgical field and adequate tumour removal. It is comparable to microscopic TSS but has a higher complication rate notably due to steep learning curve required to gain the expertise.
Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns for Patients with Pharyngitis in Malaysian Public Primary Care Clinics
Authors:   Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, Muthanna AbdulRahman ,   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, Siti Zulaikha Siti Zulaikha ,   Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, Abdul Rashid Aneesa ,   Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, Shariff Ghazali Sazlina ,   Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, Hamat Rukman Awang ,   Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, Mawardi Maliza ,   Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, Salim Hani Syahida ,   Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, Shamsuddin Nurainul Hana ,   Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
Published: February 2022

Background: Over-prescription of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a continuing problem in Malaysia, leading to increased antimicrobial resistance and unnecessary cost incurred for treatment. In a patient presenting with a sore throat, it is recommended to only prescribe antibiotics to group A streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis confirmed by a throat culture, rapid antigen test or in patients with a Centor score of 4. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the proportion of antibiotics prescribed and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of GAS pharyngitis in the Malaysian primary care setting. Two-hundred and fifteen adult patients presenting with sore throat were recruited in three primary care clinics. Demographic data and clinical information were collected and analysed. Centor scores were calculated according to the clinical information and throat swabs were collected from all participants for GAS identification. Results: Only six throat swabs isolated GAS and indicated for antimicrobial treatment (2.8%). However, 48 participants (22.3%) were prescribed antibiotics out of which only four (8.3%) patients with isolated GAS, including three (6.2%) patients who clinically had a Centor score of 4 and one patient with a score of 3. Amoxicillin and erythromycin were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics (58.3% and 25% of all antibiotics, respectively). Conclusion: There is a high proportion of antibiotic prescriptions which were not indicated in patients with sore throat in this study. This may reflect a common practice of antibiotic overuse for sore throat in primary care settings in Malaysia. Concerted interventions to reduce the inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics are urgently needed.
Comparison of three different protocols of alkaloid extraction from Glaucium corniculatum plant
Authors: KOÇANCI Fatma Gonca , NİĞDELİOĞLU DOLANBAY Serap , ASLIM Belma
Published: February 2022

Alkaloids, plant secondary metabolites, have a wide variety of biological effects. For this reason, the extraction of alkaloids from plants is of strategic importance. Different extraction protocols for the extraction of alkaloids from plants have been described by many authors. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of three different protocols for the extraction of alkaloids from Glaucium corniculatum. This article compares the Soxhlet and ultrasonication protocol, used in previous studies, to a modified Soxhlet protocol. While the alkaloid amount in the extract was determined by the spectrophotometric method, the qualitative estimation of the compounds in the extract was determined by Gas chromatograph-Mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The alkaloid amount and diversity in the extract, obtained through the recommended modified Soxhlet protocol, were higher than that of any extract obtained through other protocols. Thus, a new modified alkaloid extraction protocol was established, which is better than the other protocol.
Penentuan Penerimaan Karyawan Menggunakan Metode Simple Additive Weighting dan Weight Product
Authors: Munawar Ermin Al , Sunardi Sunardi , Fadlil Abdul
Published: February 2022

Recruitment errors influence in a decrease of quality, performance, and company revenue. One of the causes is the absence of a method that is applied as a systematically of information system in determining the acceptance of the best prospective employees. This study uses the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) and Weight Product (WP) methods to build an objective, fast, and accurate of Decision Support System (DSS) in determining employee acceptance. This research case study was applied to the Indonesian Market Traders Cooperative (KOPPI) Sorong City, West Papua Province by involving a number of 10 alternative applicants. This study aims to produce an objective information system and provide convenience in determining the best employees, referring to the determination of 9 criteria obtained from interviews, namely education, work experience, motivation, intrapersonal ability, achievement orientation, sales ability, self-confidence, trustworthy, and work ethic by weighting each. SAW and WP methods are both used to determine the best ranking of all alternative applicants and get the best prospective employees. The information system was built using the Waterfall development method with the PHP programming language and Mysql database. Based on the results of research that has been carried out, it is found that the information system built has 100% conformity of functionality and compatibility between manual and application system. Both methods provide the same highest alternative to be used as the determination of the best employee acceptance, however it is found that the WP method provides better accuracy and validity than SAW.
Audit Tata Kelola Teknologi Informasi Domain Monitor, Evaluate, and Asses dan Deliver, Service, Support Berdasarkan Framework COBIT 2019
Authors: Windasari Ike Pertiwi , Rochim Adian Fatchur , Alfiani Septi Nurna , Kamalia Azizah
Published: February 2022

University is a form of tertiary institution that has a tridharma task to assist the government in handling and implementing development in all fields, especially education. Information technology and information systems tools are important to support the achievement of the university's vision and mission. University information technology governance is an activity used to measure existing information technology to support the achievement of university activity goals. The obstacle faced by the university is that every year it spends a large budget with activities related to information technology (IT) ranging from design, implementation, IT training for the entire academic community, but the results obtained cannot be measured. This research was conducted to measure the maturity of IT implementation at universities. In this study, using COBIT 2019 as a framework on the two domains of MEA and DSS in the research object university (PTOP). Two of these domains are expected to be able to measure the target Capability Level, Capability Level current and gaps (gap) The data source used is the results of interviews with IT governance authorities. The research object case study at one of the universities in Semarang, hereinafter referred to as the research object college (PTOP). Based on the research results, it was found that the PTOP capability level in the MEA and DSS domains was at level 1 or performed, which means that the process carried out had more or less reached the goal, but through the implementation of a series of activities that were less organized.
A UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF KOCHS ABDOMEN WITH MULTIPLE ILEAL PERFORATIONS- A RARE CASE
Authors: Sutariya Viral , Hadke V.Y. , Apturkar D.K , Borkhatariya Ketan
Published: February 2022

Hypothesis- whether kochs abdomen causes multiple ileac perforation or not . Methodology- A case report with A 38-year old male presented with- Ã˜ abdominal pain since 1 month Ã˜ Constipation since 4 days Ã˜ Anorexia since 4 days On examination Â– abdomen was distended, diffuse, tenderness with guarding and rigidity with absent of bowel sounds. Conclusion Â–TB should always considered in differential diagnosis in patients presenting with abdominal pain/distension, fever and ascites or with abdominopelvic mass. Recurrent bowel obstruction or anastomotic disruptions also give clues of its diagnosis.
PENALTIES FOR THE CRIME OF MONEY LAUNDERING IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Authors:   Prince Sultan University of Riyadh- Kingdom Saudi Arabia., Abdul Hadi Atim Muhammad Zubaida
Published: February 2022

Money laundering is one of the practices harmful to international trade, and it is one of the economic crimes associated with organized crime that has developed with technological development.The crime of money laundering is committed by ordinary and legal persons , Therefore, this research article aims to identify the penalties for the money laundering crime committed by ordinary persons in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the competent court for that.The study followed the descriptive approach and comparative analysis,The most important recommendations are the necessity of allocating a competent court in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to consider cases of money laundering crime.