bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chlorella vulgaris growth in different biodigested vinasse concentrations: biomass, pigments and final composition
Authors: Trevisan Elias , Godoy Rodrigo Felipe Bedim , Radomski Fernando Aparecido Dias , Crisigiovanni Enzo Luigi , Branco Kemely Bruna Zandonadi Ferriani , Arroyo Pedro Augusto
Published: April 2020

Vinasse, an effluent generated during sugar and alcohol production, has great potential for soil and water pollution; however, it can be treated, used in biomass production and reused in sugarcane plantations. Thus, this work uses different types of biodigested vinasse to produce more biomass. The effect is the removal of ammonia nitrogen quickly and the end of the exponential growth phase of microalgae at different levels from the sixth day of cultivation. Among the concentrations used, the use of 50% biodigested vinasse showed the highest biomass concentration (255 mg L−1) after 10 days of growth, coinciding with the end of ammoniacal nitrogen availability and stabilization of effluent color removal. The addition of biodigested vinasse also provides an increase in Chlorophyll a (5.33 mg L−1) and b (4.66 mg L−1) levels, obtained on the sixth day with 40% of vinasse, as well as protein (40.50%) with 50% effluent. Therefore, with the obtained results we noticed the variation of the biomass composition according to the vinasse concentration and increase of the pigment concentration in the presence of the effluent with higher nutrient concentration. Thus, the higher concentration of vinasse was more productive of the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris.
Nutrición y refugiados
Authors: Torre Pilar
Published: April 2020

El presente trabajo describe las condiciones demográficas y de nutrición, salud y vivienda que se detectaron entre los refugiados guatemaltecos cuando, en 1982, se inicia el gran movimiento migratorio hacia el estado de Chiapas. Aunque en México no existe el estatus legal de refugiados, esta forma que asume la migración en donde la población es expulsada de manera violenta de su país de origen en busca de asilo bien podría entrar en la definición de refugiados. Se hace énfasis en las condiciones de nutrición de los menores de seis años en uno de los campamentos localizados en la ribera del río Lacantún, en la zona selvática de Marqués de Comillas, Municipio de Ocosingo, Chiapas. La información aquí presentada surge de la experiencia de campo obtenida al desarrollar el Programa de Alimentación Complementaria a Grupos Vulnerables. Este artículo no pretende describir el marco histórico de este fenómeno migratorio, sin embargo, algunos datos son de interés para situar el presente estudio.
A new approach to water cut forecasting based on results of capacitance resistance modeling
Authors: Bekman Alexander D. , Pospelova Tatiana A. , Zelenin Dmitry V.
Published: April 2020

For oil fields that are at a late stage of development, urgent tasks are the operational analysis of the development and optimization of the operating modes of injection wells. The demand for responsiveness often forces one to abandon the use of three-dimensional hydrodynamic models in favor of analytical ones such as CRMP. Using CRMP models allows you to quickly assess the trends in the impact of injection wells on producing wells and build reliable short-term forecasts for fluid production. Supplementing the traditional (single-phase) CRMP model with a water cut model also allows predicting oil production rates for producing wells and expands the capabilities of an operational analysis of the existing development system. In addition, an adequate water cut model allows using the CRMP model to solve the problem of optimizing the operating modes of the injection well stock. This article discusses the main known water cut models used in conjunction with the CRMP model, provides a brief analysis of their advantages and disadvantages. A new authorial mathematical model of water cut (“multi-characteristic model”) is proposed, which allows to establish the role of each injection well in changing the water content of the considered producer. An adaptation algorithm is also described, that is, the selection of unknown model coefficients implemented in Ariadna software (developed by Tyumen Petroleum Research Center LLC). The low computational complexity of the algorithm allows you to quickly simulate areas containing up to several hundred wells. The results of experiments on the use of a new mathematical model on a synthetic model of an oil reservoir are presented. The results of predicting water cut are compared with the results of previously known methods. The restrictions for using the new model, as well as directions for its development are indicated.
Calculation and experimental method for determining the filtration parameters of the mixture “oil — aqueous solution of surfactants”
Authors: Kuzina Olga A. , Shabarov Aleksandr B.
Published: April 2020

The article describes a physical and mathematical cluster precise model and a method for calculating the flow of a two-phase mixture “oil — aqueous solution of surface-active substances” in the pore space of rocks. This method allows us to predict the effect of the type of aqueous solution of surface-active substances and the temperature of the solution on the type of relative permeabilities (RPP).
The results of an experimental study of stationary two-phase fluid filtration in a reservoir model through a composite column of core samples are presented. A method is given for determining the relative permeability functions using additional reagents based on the obtained generalized experimental data and calculating pressure losses due to friction, local resistances, and interfacial interaction during the flow of oil-water mixture in the pore channels.
Formulas are proposed for calculating losses from interphase interaction taking into account the influence of the type of surfactant and formation temperature. The dependences of the relative amplitude of pressure loss on interfacial interaction and the position of the maximum loss of the bell-shaped curve on the type of surfactant, formation temperature and adhesion work are obtained, which allow approximating the magnitude of pressure loss on interfacial interactions taking into account surfactants and temperature. The effect of temperature on the type of relative permeabilities is shown.
It was established that the use of the studied aqueous surfactant solutions instead of water for oil displacement leads to a decrease in the residual oil saturation in the core due to a decrease in interfacial tension at the oil-water interface, which as a result leads to an increase in oil recovery.
Alegorik Bir Öykü Olarak Küçük Kara Balık Üzerine Değerlendirmeler
Authors: Türkyılmaz Mustafa
Published: April 2020

İnsan, anlatmak istediklerini göstergelerle anlatır. Dolayısıyla verilmek istenen ileti, bakılan açı ve döneme göre farklı farklı biçimlerde yorumlanabilir. Kaldı ki nitelikli edebiyat ürünlerinde de anlam boşlukları vardır. Bu boşluklar, farklı edebiyat kuramları bağlamında farklı biçimlerde doldurulabilir. Okur merkezli edebiyat kuramları, okurun tüm edinilmişlikleri ile metne yaklaştığını ve bu çerçevede metni anlamlandırdığını söyler. Bu araştırma, Samed Behrengi’nin Küçük Kara Balık isimli öyküsündeki alegorik unsurları ortaya koymak, görünen ve görünmeyen yüzeyi ile metnin okura sunduğu anlam evrenini açık etmek için yapılmıştır. Süreçte Samed Behrengi ya da Küçük Kara Balık üzerine yapılmış olan çalışmalar incelenmiştir. Bu araştırmaların Küçük Kara Balık’a yönelik bakış açısından yararlanılmış ve öyküye farklı cephelerden yaklaşılmıştır. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden doküman analizi kullanılarak metin incelenmiştir. Sonuçta Samed Behrengi, Pehlevi Hanedanlığı döneminde yaşamış ve diğer aydınlar gibi rejimin baskısı ile karşılaşmıştır. Hâl böyle olunca Behrengi de kurmaca büyüsünün ardına gizlenip alegorik unsurlar kullanmıştır. Küçük Kara Balık’ın yazarın yaşadığı dönemden izler taşıdığı anlaşılmıştır. Yazar alegorilerle dönemini anlattığı gibi kurmacanın imkânlarından yararlanarak araştıran, sorgulayan ve yaratıcı düşünebilen çocukların yetiştirilmesine de hizmet etmek istemiştir.
The Inflammation Network in the Pathogenesis of Erectile Dysfunction: Attractive Potential Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Kaya-Sezginer Ecem , Gur Serap
Published: April 2020

Background:

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an evolving health problem in the aging male population.
Chronic low-grade inflammation is a critical component of ED pathogenesis and a probable intermediate stage of
endothelial dysfunction, especially in metabolic diseases, with the inclusion of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and
diabetes.

Objective:

This review will present an overview of preclinical and clinical data regarding common inflammatory
mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ED associated with metabolic diseases and the effect of antiinflammatory
drugs on ED.

Methods:

A literature search of existing pre-clinical and clinical studies was performed on databases [Pubmed
(MEDLINE), Scopus, and Embase] from January 2000 to October 2019.

Results:

Low-grade inflammation is a possible pathological role in endothelial dysfunction as a consequence of
ED and other related metabolic diseases. Increased inflammation and endothelial/prothrombotic markers can be
associated with the presence and degree of ED. Pharmacological therapy and modification of lifestyle and risk
factors may have a significant role in the recovery of erectile response through reduction of inflammatory marker
levels.

Conclusion:

Inflammation is the least common denominator in the pathology of ED and metabolic disorders. The
inflammatory process of ED includes a shift in the complex interactions of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion
molecules. These data have established that anti-inflammatory agents could be used as a therapeutic opportunity
in the prevention and treatment of ED. Further research on inflammation-related mechanisms underlying ED and
the effect of therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing inflammation is required for a better understanding of the
pathogenesis and successful management of ED.
Current Developments in Targeted Drug Delivery Systems for Glioma
Authors: Patel Dhrumi , Wairkar Sarika , Yergeri Mayur C.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Glioma is one of the most commonly observed tumours, representing about 75% of brain
tumours in the adult population. Generally, glioma treatment includes surgical resection followed by radiotherapy
and chemotherapy. The current chemotherapy for glioma involves the use of temozolomide, doxorubicin, monoclonal
antibodies, etc. however, the clinical outcomes in patients are not satisfactory. Primarily, the blood-brain
barrier hinders these drugs from reaching the target leading to the recurrence of glioma post-surgery. In addition,
these drugs are not target-specific and affect the healthy cells of the body. Therefore, glioma-targeted drug delivery
is essential to reduce the rate of recurrence and treat the condition with more reliable alternatives.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted to understand glioma pathophysiology, its current therapeutic approaches
for targeted delivery using databases like Pub Med, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, etc.

Results:

This review gives an insight to challenges associated with current treatments, factors influencing drug
delivery in glioma, and recent advancements in targeted drug delivery.

Conclusion:

The promising results could be seen with nanotechnology-based approaches, like polymeric, lipidbased,
and hybrid nanoparticles in the treatment of glioma. Biotechnological developments, such as carrier peptides
and gene therapy, are future prospects in glioma therapy. Therefore, these targeted delivery systems will be
beneficial in clinical practices for glioma treatment.
Fistulas Healing. Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Therapy
Authors: Sikiric Predrag , Drmic Domagoj , Sever Marko , Klicek Robert , Blagaic Alenka B. , Tvrdeic Ante , Kralj Tamara , Kovac Katarina K. , Vukojevic Jaksa , Siroglavic Marko , Gojkovic Slaven , Krezic Ivan , Pavlov Katarina H. , Rasic Domagoj , Mirkovic Ivan , Kokot Antonio , Skrtic Anita , Seiwerth Sven
Published: April 2020

This review is focused on the healing of fistulas and stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. Assuming
that the healing of the various wounds is essential also for the gastrointestinal fistulas healing, the healing
effect on fistulas in rats, consistently noted with the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, may raise several
interesting possibilities. BPC 157 is originally an anti-ulcer agent, native to and stable in human gastric juice (for
more than 24 h). Likely, it is a novel mediator of Robert’s cytoprotection maintaining gastrointestinal mucosal
integrity. Namely, it is effective in the whole gastrointestinal tract, and heals various wounds (i.e., skin, muscle,
tendon, ligament, bone; ulcers in the entire gastrointestinal tract; corneal ulcer); LD1 is not achieved. It is used in
ulcerative colitis clinical trials, and now in multiple sclerosis, and addressed in several reviews. Therefore, it is
not surprising that BPC 157 has documented consistent healing of the various gastrointestinal fistulas, external
(esophagocutaneous, gastrocutaneous, duodenocutaneous, colocutaneous) and internal (colovesical, rectovaginal).
Taking fistulas as a pathological connection, this rescue is verified with the beneficial effects in rats with the
various gastrointestinal anastomoses, esophagogastric, jejunoileal, colo-colonic, ileoileal, esophagojejunal,
esophagoduodenal, and gastrojejunal. This beneficial effect occurs equally when the gastrointestinal anastomoses
are impaired with the application of NSAIDs, cysteamine, large bowel resection, as well as concomitant
esophageal, gastric, and duodenal lesions and/or ulcerative colitis presentation, short bowel syndrome progression,
liver and brain disturbances presentation. Particular aspects of the BPC 157 healing of the fistulas are especially
emphasized.
Prader-Willi Syndrome: Molecular Mechanism and Epigenetic Therapy
Authors: Mian-Ling Zhong , Yun-Qi Chao , Chao-Chun Zou
Published: April 2020

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is an imprinted neurodevelopmental disease characterized by
cognitive impairments, developmental delay, hyperphagia, obesity, and sleep abnormalities. It is
caused by a lack of expression of the paternally active genes in the PWS imprinting center on chromosome
15 (15q11.2-q13). Owing to the imprinted gene regulation, the same genes in the maternal
chromosome, 15q11-q13, are intact in structure but repressed at the transcriptional level because of the
epigenetic mechanism. The specific molecular defect underlying PWS provides an opportunity to explore
epigenetic therapy to reactivate the expression of repressed PWS genes inherited from the maternal
chromosome. The purpose of this review is to summarize the main advances in the molecular
study of PWS and discuss current and future perspectives on the development of CRISPR/Cas9-
mediated epigenome editing in the epigenetic therapy of PWS. Twelve studies on the molecular
mechanism or epigenetic therapy of PWS were included in the review. Although our understanding of
the molecular basis of PWS has changed fundamentally, there has been a little progress in the epigenetic
therapy of PWS that targets its underlying genetic defects.
Pathophysiology of Thrombosis in Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Habib Aida , Petrucci Giovanna , Rocca Bianca
Published: April 2020

Under physiological conditions, peripheral arteries release endogenous vascular-protective and antithrombotic
agents. Endothelial cells actively synthesize vasoactive mediators, which regulate vascular tone and
platelet reactivity thus preventing thrombosis. Atherosclerosis disrupts homeostasis and favours thrombosis by
triggering pro-thrombotic responses in the vessels, platelet activation, aggregation as well as vasoconstriction,
phenomena that ultimately lead to symptomatic lumen restriction or complete occlusion.

In the present review, we will discuss the homeostatic role of arterial vessels in releasing vascular-protective
agents, such as nitric oxide and prostacyclin, the role of pro- and anti-thrombotic vascular receptors as well as
the contribution of circulating platelets and coagulation factors in triggering the pro-thrombotic response(s). We
will discuss the pathological consequences of disrupting the protective pathways in the arteries and the pharmacological
interventions along these pathways.
Antithrombotic Therapy for Peripheral Revascularisation
Authors: De Carlo Marco , Angelillis Marco , Liga Riccardo
Published: April 2020

:

Lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) represents a major public health burden, affecting
hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Although risk-factor modification, exercise training and
medical treatment are the mainstays of the management of LEAD, endovascular or surgical
revascularisation is recommended when there is the risk of limb amputation and when drug-resistant
claudication severely affects patient lifestyle. Over recent years, the number of peripheral vascular interventions
(PVI) has soared worldwide, driven by the improvements in endovascular techniques and
devices. This growth was accompanied by a large number of clinical trials aimed at assessing the safety
and efficacy of the various revascularisation modalities, while very little evidence was collected regarding
the best antithrombotic treatment in patients undergoing peripheral revascularisation. In particular,
considering the extensive length of diseased vessels usually treated in PVI, an optimised approach to
both platelet function and coagulation cascade is of paramount importance. However, the role of antiplatelet
and anticoagulant drugs following lower extremity revascularisation is largely extrapolated from
the coronary field. Current guidelines recommend long-term single antiplatelet treatment for the majority
of both endovascular and surgical revascularisation procedures, preceded by an initial short-term
dual antiplatelet treatment in case of PVI.

:

We present an overview of the indications and techniques of both endovascular and surgical peripheral
revascularisation, followed by an in-depth analysis of the available evidence regarding type and duration
of antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatment following revascularisation.
Systematic Development of Bicalutamide Immediate Release Pellets Using Aeroperl and Non-MCC Extruder Aid
Authors: Rana Hardik , Hasan Hussain , Gohel Mukesh , Thakkar Vaishali , Gandhi Tejal
Published: April 2020

Background:

The Microcrystalline Cellulose is called as a gold standard for the manufacture
of pellets. The poor disintegration leads to incomplete drug release that restricts the use of
MCC in the immediate-release formulation.

Objective:

The present work aims to explore non-MCC extruder aid for pellet formulation and
solubility modulation potential of Aeroperl® 300 Pharma.

Methods:

Bicalutamide (BCL) was selected as a model BCS class-II drug. The solubility of BCL
was assessed in different vehicles such as polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and Tween by
carrying out phase solubility study. The suitable vehicle was selected based on the higher solubility
of BCL. The vehicle was further adsorbed on newer adsorbent Aeroperl® 300 Pharma to formulate
liquisolid granules. The liquisolid granules were further incorporated into the pellet using mannitol
and microcrystalline cellulose as an extruder aid. Box-Behnken design was adopted for the optimization
of formulation considering MCC: mannitol ratio, the concentration of HPMC and spheronizer
speed as independent factors whereas drug release at 30 min, disintegration time and aspect ratio were
selected as dependent variables. The pellets were evaluated for different evaluation parameters.

Results:

Propylene glycol was selected for the formulation of liquisolid technique based on the
results of the phase solubility study. Propylene glycol containing BCL was adsorbed on Aeroperl
300 Pharma. The optimized batch was selected exploring the Design-Expert software by considering
the limits of different responses. Pellet had excellent flowability. Friability was found to be
within the range (<1%). Pellets were found to be spherical and had pores on the surfaces.

Conclusion:

Liquisolid granules containing newer solubilizer Aeroperl was found to be a promising
approach for the improvement in the solubility of the drug. The use of mannitol with MCC has a
profound effect on disintegration time, without altering flow property and other parameters. No
patents were reported on the combination of Bicalutamide, mannitol and Aeroperl. The critical finding
of the present work is to use mannitol as an extruder aid to fasten the disintegration leads to
complete drug release within a short period of time. Aeroperl and Mannitol, MCC: mannitol ratio,
the concentration of HPMC and spheronizer speed were found to be significant and had the potential
effect in pellet formulation.
Sequence-based Identification of Allergen Proteins Developed by Integration of PseAAC and Statistical Moments via 5-Step Rule
Authors: Khan Yaser Daanial , Alzahrani Ebraheem , Alghamdi Wajdi , Ullah Malik Zaka
Published: April 2020

Background:

Allergens are antigens that can stimulate an atopic type I human
hypersensitivity reaction by an immunoglobulin E (IgE) reaction. Some proteins are naturally
allergenic than others. The challenge for toxicologists is to identify properties that allow proteins
to cause allergic sensitization and allergic diseases. The identification of allergen proteins is a very
critical and pivotal task. The experimental identification of protein functions is a hectic, laborious
and costly task; therefore, computer scientists have proposed various methods in the field of
computational biology and bioinformatics using various data science approaches. Objectives:
Herein, we report a novel predictor for the identification of allergen proteins.

Methods:

For feature extraction, statistical moments and various position-based features have been
incorporated into Chou’s pseudo amino acid composition (PseAAC), and are used for training of a
neural network.

Results:

The predictor is validated through 10-fold cross-validation and Jackknife testing, which
gave 99.43% and 99.87% accurate results.

Conclusions:

Thus, the proposed predictor can help in predicting the Allergen proteins in an
efficient and accurate way and can provide baseline data for the discovery of new drugs and
biomarkers.
Identification of Glioma Specific Genes as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers for Glioma
Authors: Tu Ming , Ye Ling , Hu ShaoBo , Wang Wei , Zhu Penglei , Lu XiangHe , Zheng WeiMing
Published: April 2020

Background:

Malignant gliomas are the most prevalent malignancy of the brain.
However, there was still lack of sensitive and accurate biomarkers for gliomas.

Objective:

To explore the mechanisms underlying glioma progression and identify novel
diagnostic and prognostic markers for glioma.

Methods:

By analyzing TCGA dataset, whole-genome genes expression levels were evaluated in
19 different types of human cancers. A protein-protein interacting network was constructed to
reveal the potential roles of these glioma special genes. KEGG and GO analysis revealed the
potential effect of these genes.

Results:

We identified 698 gliomas specially expressed genes by analyzing TCGA dataset. A
protein-protein interacting network was constructed to reveal the potential roles of these glioma
special genes. KEGG and GO analysis showed gliomas specially expressed genes were involved in
regulating neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling,
Glutamatergic synapse, chemical synaptic transmission, nervous system development, central
nervous system development, and learning. Of note, GRIA1, GNAO1, GRIN1, CACNA1A,
CAMK2A, and SYP were identified to be down-regulated and associated with poor prognosis in
gliomas.

Conclusion:

GRIA1, GNAO1, GRIN1, CACNA1A, CAMK2A, and SYP were identified to be
down-regulated and associated with poor prognosis in gliomas. We thought this study will provide
novel biomarkers for gliomas.
Syntheses and Preliminary Evaluation of Dual Target PET Probe [18F]-NOTA-Gly3- E (2PEG4-RGD-WH701) for PET Imaging of Breast Cancer
Authors: Chen Zijun , Fu Hao , Wu Hua , Huang Jinxiong , Yao Lanlin , Zhang Xianzhong , Li Yesen
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 (TNFR1) and integrin αvβ3 receptor are overexpressed in
breast cancer. We hypothesized that a peptide ligand recognizing both receptors in a single receptor-binding
probe would be advantageous. Here, we developed a novel 18F-labeled fusion peptide probe [18F]-NOTA-Gly3-
E(2PEG4-RGD-WH701) targeting dual receptors (TNFR1 and αvβ3) and evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of
this radioactive probe in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 xenograft models in mice.

Methods:

The NOTA-conjugated RGD-WH701 analog was radiolabeled with 18F using NOTA-AlF chelation
method. We used two PEG4 molecules and Glutamic acid (Glu) to covalently link c(RGDyK) with WH701.
Gly3 was also added to further improve the water solubility and pharmacokinetic properties of the probe. The
expression of TNFR1 and Integrin αvβ3 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells was detected by western blot analysis
and immunofluorescence staining. The tumor-targeting characteristics of [18F]-NOTA-Gly3-E(2PEG4-RGDWH701)
were assessed in nude mice bearing MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 xenografts.

Results:

HPLC analysis of the product NOTA-G3-E (2P4-RGD-WH701) revealed a purity >95%. The yield
after attenuation correction was approximately 33.5%±2.8% (n=5), and the radiochemical purity was above
95%. The MDA-MB-231 tumor uptake of [18]-NOTA-Gly3-E(2PEG4-RGD-WH701) was 1.14±0.14%ID/g, as
measured by PET at 40min postinjection (p.i.). In comparison, the tumor uptake of [18F]-NOTA-RGD and [18F]-
NOTA-WH701 in MDA-MB-231 xenografts was 0.96±0.13%ID/g and 0.93±0.28%ID/g, respectively. The
MCF-7 tumor uptake of [18F]-NOTA-Gly3-E(2PEG4-RGD-WH701) was 1.22±0.11%ID/g, as measured by PET
at 40min postinjection (p.i.). In comparison, the tumor uptake of [18F]-NOTA-RGD and [18F]-NOTA-WH701 in
MCF-7 xenografts was 0.99±0.18%ID/g and 0.57±0.08%ID/g, respectively.

Conclusion:

[18F]AlF-NOTA-Gly3-E(2PEG4-RGD-WH701) was successfully synthesized and labeled with 18F.
The results from the microPET/CT and biodistribution studies of [18F]AlF-NOTA-Gly3-E(2PEG4-RGDWH701)
showed that the tracer could specifically target TNFR1 and integrin αvβ3 receptors.
The Role of IL-6, TNF-α, and VDR in Inhibiting the Growth of Salmonella Typhi: in vivo Study
Authors: Febriza Ami , Natzir Rosdiana , Hatta Mochammad , As'ad Suryani , Budu . , Kaelan Cahyono , Kasim Vivien Novarina , Idrus Hasta Handayani
Published: April 2020

Background and aim:

The prevalence of typhoid fever is reportedly high, especially in Asia. When a pathogen enters the human body, there are markers in the form of molecules that will be known by the innate immune system. Specific molecular markers of gram negative bacteria, which are Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Toll-Like receptors-4 will interact with LPS. The binding between LPS and TLR-4 will give rise to activation signals that will activate innate immune cells. Immune cells will release a number of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6. While Vitamin D Receptors (VDR) are expressed in large amounts in tumor tissue and infected cells. This study aimed to prove the role of IL-6, TNF-α, and VDR in inhibiting bacterial growth in mice that have been induced by S.Typhi.

Methods:

This research was a real experimental pre-post test design to investigate the level of IL-6, TNF-α and VDR in suppressing the growth of bacteria in the peritoneal fluid of S. Typhi, male, mice BALB/c. Mice were divided into three groups comprised of 10 mice each. All mice in groups A and B were intraperitoneally inoculated with S. Typhi strain Thy1 in study day 0. Group A was treated with antibiotic Levofloxacine, on study day 4th. Another study group, group B, was used as a placebo and received aquades on study day 4th. While group C as a control was not inoculated with S. Typhi. Blood samples from three groups for the calculation of serum Il-6, TNF-α, and VDR were collected. This examination was taken four times; at baseline, 4th day, 10th day, and 30th day. For the calculation of bacterial colony, peritoneal fluid retrieval was collected three times, which is on 4th day, 10th day, and 30th day.

Results:

A repeated measure ANOVA in group A (antibiotic) and group B (placebo) group showed that mean IL-6, TNF-α, and VDR level differed statistically significant between times (p-value 0.000). There was a strong negative correlation between bacterial colony count and VDR level, which was statistically significant in both groups (group A; r = -0.875, p-value = 0.000 vs group B; r = -0.470, p-value = 0.002). IL-6 and TNF-α didn't give significant statistical correlation with bacterial colony count.

Conclusion:

VDR, IL-6, and TNF-α play an important role in killing bacteria. From the results of this study, IL-6 level is related to the number of bacterial colonies, the lower the IL-6 level, the less the number of bacterial colonies. Similarly, TNF-α levels have a positive correlation with the number of bacterial colonies. While VDR levels are also related to the number of bacterial colonies, the higher the VDR level, the lower the number of bacterial colonies.
The Factors Predicting the Health-Related Quality of Life Among Persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Public Health Region 4, Thailand: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Wangsom Atchanat , Othaganont Pranom , Ladores Sigrid
Published: April 2020

Background:

Health-Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) is an important consideration for persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This convergent parallel mixed-methods study aimed to examine the factors predicting HRQOL and to explore a comprehensive in-depth understanding of the factors associated with HRQOL in persons with COPD.

Methods:

For the quantitative arm, simple random sampling consisted of 240 persons with COPD in Public Health Region 4, Thailand and self-reported questionnaires were employed and analyzed by using SPSS version 22.0 software. For the qualitative arm, purposive sampling consisted of 30 participants that were interviewed and the transcripts analyzed using content analysis. Subsequently, a side-by-side joint display table was used to merge the data.

Results:

Social support was the strongest predictor of HRQOL, followed by nutritional status, pulmonary function, and functional performance with R2 = 0.801, p = 0.00. The participants perceived that social support can create encouragement, build convenience, and offer good recommendations. They also reported that the effects of COPD included poor nutritional status, deteriorating lung function, and activity limitations resulting in inadequate self-care in people living with COPD. Although age and gender were not found to be significant predictors of HRQOL, the participants perceived that differences in age and gender did not predict the prognosis of the disease.

Conclusion:

Four factors were seen to be significant predictors of HRQOL and potential explanations for the identification of the factors predicting HRQOL. Nurses and healthcare teams can modify the predicting factors and implement appropriate care leading to increased HRQOL in persons with COPD.
Maternal AIDS Orphans and the Burden of Parenting in Youth-headed Households; Implications for Food Security in Impoverished Areas of South Africa
Authors: Sebola Ephodia , Ntuli Busisiwe , Madiba Sphiwe
Published: April 2020

The increasing number of AIDS orphans has led to an increase in child and youth headed households. Adjusting to the parenting role with no support from their extended family is a source of distress for orphans heading households. This study explored the parenting experiences of orphaned youth heading households in resource constraints environments.

Methods:

The participants were purposely selected from Youth-Headed Households (YHHs) located in informal settlements in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. The data analysis was inductive and followed the thematic approach.

Results:

Thirteen females and five males aged between 15-24 years were interviewed. The phenomenon of YHHs occured in impoverished informal settlements partly due to orphans being forcefully removed from their parents’ homes after the death of their mothers. The household heads felt morally obliged to care for their siblings, experienced parenting as burdensome, and the role adjustment from being a child to a parent difficult and demanding. The inability to provide adequate food to feed their siblings was a source of emotional stress. In an attempt to fulfil their parenting roles, they dropped out of school to find employment.

Conclusion:

Although the child support and foster grant are widely recognised for improving children's access to food, education, and basic services in South Africa, the lack thereof contributed to the economic hardships and vulnerability to food insecurity and hunger among orphans in YHHs. There is a need for multi-sectoral interventions to address food insecurity and, in so doing, improve the psychosocial wellbeing of orphans in YHHs.
Machine Learning Algorithms in Cardiology Domain: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dudchenko Aleksei , Ganzinger Matthias , Kopanitsa Georgy
Published: April 2020

Background:

It could be seen in the previous decades that Machine Learning (ML) has a huge variety of possible implementations in medicine and can be of great use. Nevertheless, cardiovascular diseases cause about a third of the total global deaths.

Does ML work in the cardiology domain and what is the current progress in this regard? To answer this question, we present a systematic review aiming at 1) identifying studies where machine learning algorithms were applied in the domain of cardiology; 2) providing an overview based on the existing literature about the state-of-the-art ML algorithms applied in cardiology.

Methods:

For organizing this review, we adopted the PRISMA statement. We used PubMed as the search engine and identified the search keywords as “Machine Learning”, “Data Mining”, “Cardiology”, and “Cardiovascular” in combinations. Scientific articles and conference papers published between 2013-2017 reporting about implementations of ML algorithms in the domain of cardiology have been included in this review.

Results:

In total, 27 relevant papers were included. We examined four aspects: the aims of ML systems, the methods, datasets, and evaluation metrics. The major part of the paper was aimed at predicting the risk of mortality. A promising branch of Machine Learning, the ‘Reinforcement Learning’, was also never proposed in the observed papers. Tree-based ensembles are common and show good results, whereas deep neural networks are poorly represented. Most papers (20 of 27) have used datasets that are hardly available for other researchers,e.g. unpublished local registries. We also identified 28 different metrics for model evaluation. This variety of metrics makes it difficult to compare the results of different researches.

Conclusion:

We suppose that this systematic review will be helpful for researchers developing medical machine learning systems and for cardiology in particular.
Assessment of Cardiovascular Disease Risk among Qatari Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Attending Primary Health Care Centers, 2014
Authors: Al-yafei Anees , Osman Sherif O. , Selim Nagah , Alkubaisi Noora , Singh Rajvir
Published: April 2020

Background:

The accumulated knowledge on the development of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients due to clustering and synergistic interaction of multiple risk factors leads to the establishment of cardiovascular disease 10-year risk prediction tools. The management of patients based on their total risk prediction is an effective way to reduce disease burden. The behavior of such tools varies based on population and their risk profile.

Objective:

To estimate the total 10-year cardiovascular disease risk using General Framingham Risk Prediction Score and World Health Organization /International Society for Hypertension (WHO/ISH) Risk Prediction Chart on Qatari diabetic patients.

Methods:

Cross-sectional design was used. A total of 532 Qatari diabetic patients attending primary healthcare were enrolled. Data were collected using an interview administered questionnaire, anthropometric & blood pressure measurement, and medical records. The total 10-year cardiovascular disease risk was assessed using the WHO/ISH risk prediction chart and Framingham score.

Results:

The former categorized (81.6%) of participants as low risk and only (3.8%) as in high and very high risk. While the later categorized (12.2%) of participants as low risk and (57.6%) as in high and very high risk. No agreement between both tools in assessment of cardiovascular disease risk (κ = - 0.019, p-value = 0.216). All risk factors used by both tools illustrated a statistically significant relation with risk categories, except ‘anti-hypertensive medications intake’ in the Framingham score.

Conclusion:

Encouraging assessment of patients based on total risk rather than single risk factor and further study of total risk prediction can help to establish a national tool for Qatar.
Nanomedical Devices and Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Moumaris Mohamed , Bretagne Jean-Michel , Abuaf Nisen
Published: April 2020

The current therapies against cancer showed limited success. Nanotechnology is a promising strategy for cancer tracking, diagnosis, and therapy. The hybrid nanotechnology assembled several materials in a multimodal system to develop multifunctional approaches to cancer treatment. The quantum dot and polymer are some of these hybrid nanoparticle platforms. The quantum dot hybrid system possesses photonic and magnetic properties, allowing photothermal therapy and live multimodal imaging of cancer. These quantum dots were used to convey medicines to cancer cells. Hybrid polymer nanoparticles were utilized for the systemic delivery of small interfering RNA to malignant tumors and metastasis. They allowed non-invasive imaging to track in real-time the biodistribution of small interfering RNA in the whole body. They offer an opportunity to treat cancers by specifically silencing target genes. This review highlights the major nanotechnology approaches to effectively treat cancer and metastasis.
REFORMAR O SUPREMO TRIBUNAL FEDERAL?
Authors: Oliveira Fabiana Luci de , Cunha Luciana Gross
Published: April 2020

O Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) vem assumindo cada vez mais um papel central na definição e condução da agenda política brasileira. Tal protagonismo pode ser medido pelo grau de autoridade e autonomia da corte e pelas iniciativas de tentar controlar sua atuação. Tendo como objetivo apresentar e discutir os projetos de reforma do STF em tramitação no Congresso Nacional, partimos da proposta analítica desenvolvida por Brinks e Blass (2017) sobre autoridade e autonomia dos sistemas de justiça constitucionais e sumarizamos de forma exemplificativa os diagnósticos elaborados pela literatura nacional especializada. Ao final, confrontamos os projetos de reforma do STF com essa literatura. O principal resultado é que enquanto a literatura está mais voltada a criticar excesso de autoridade e de autonomia ex post do STF, os projetos de reforma tramitando no Congresso Nacional, por tratarem de alteração no texto constitucional, têm como foco principal a autonomia ex ante do tribunal.
IMAGINAÇÃO, TRANSGRESSÃO E FORMALIZAÇÃO: AÇÕES DO CONGRESSO E DO STF NA DEFINIÇÃO DE REGRAS DE TRAMITAÇÃO DE MEDIDAS PROVISÓRIAS
Authors: Ribeiro Leandro Molhano , Muniz Mariana Novotny
Published: April 2020

As regras constitucionais referentes à tramitação de medidas provisórias sofreram diversas mudanças desde a promulgação da Constituição de 1988. Algumas dessas mudanças foram formais, como é o caso da Emenda Constitucional 21 e outras informais. O artigo analisa quatro casos em que as regras foram alteradas informalmente, por meio de imaginação política ou transgressão. Ainda, busca-se dividir os casos de mudança institucional em quatro diferentes tipos, sendo eles: displacement, layering, drift ou conversion. Por fim, argumenta-se que o Supremo Tribunal Federal tem a palavra final sobre as disputas interpretativas, formalizando-as, em caso de imaginação, ou vetando-as em caso de transgressão.
Gezondheidsrisico’s geassocieerd met het gebruik van een drinkautomaat bij kalveren
Authors: Janssens K. , Deprez P. , Valgaeren B. , Van Driessche L. , Gille L. , Boyen F. , Pardon B.
Published: April 2020

Drinkautomaten voor kalveren worden steeds frequenter gebruikt in Vlaanderen, met als hoofddoel arbeidsbesparing. In dit overzichtsartikel wordt een samenvatting gegeven van de huidige kennis omtrent de technische aspecten van de drinkautomaat, de economische voordelen en de gezondheidsrisico’s voor kalveren gehuisvest bij deze automaten. Er is geen overtuigend bewijs dat het gebruik van drinkautomaten in kleinere bedrijven economisch rendabel is. Hoewel er weinig wetenschappelijke literatuur beschikbaar is over de gezondheidsrisico’s die geassocieerd zijn met drinkautomaten, zijn er duidelijke aanwijzingen dat grote groepen kalveren gehuisvest bij een drinkautomaat een hoger risico op pneumonie (“bovine respiratory disease” (BRD)) hebben. Of de automaat zelf een risicofactor is voor BRD of dat het eerder komt door de blootstelling van de kalveren aan reeds bekende BRDrisicofactoren (i.e. grote groepen, op jonge leeftijd in groep gehuisvest worden, het niet toepassen van het all-in/all-out-systeem, in het geval een drinkautomaatsysteem toegepast wordt), is echter onduidelijk. Naast BRD wordt er in de praktijk melding gemaakt van diarree en tongulcera, maar er is geen bewijs beschikbaar over de link met het gebruik van drinkautomaten. Om problemen op bedrijven met een drinkautomaat te beperken, zijn een groepsgrootte van maximum tien kalveren per drinkstation, het toepassen van een all-in/ all-out-systeem per groep en een minimumleeftijd van drie weken alvorens de kalveren bij de automaat te huisvesten de belangrijkste aandachtspunten.
Radiografisch en echografisch onderzoek van de slokdarm bij het paard
Authors: Palmers K. , Van der Vekens E. , Paulussen E. , Picavet T. , Pardon B. , van Loon G.
Published: April 2020

In deze studie worden de radiografische en echografische bevindingen van de slokdarm bij tien gezonde paarden beschreven. Bij contrastradiografie varieerde de vorm van de slokdarm over de lengteas ter hoogte van de borstingang tussen de paarden. Twee van de tien paarden vertoonden stase van contrast ter hoogte van de borstingang gedurende meerdere minuten na de toediening van een groot volume contrast met een slokdarmsonde. Op echografie was de wanddikte van de niet-uitgezette slokdarm 2.6 ± 0.3 mm met significante verschillen naar gelang de metingsplaats. Het dilateren van de slokdarm met een sonde, een bolus water of krachtvoer, resulteerde in een dunnere wanddikte en vergemakkelijkte de meting met minder variatie. Na het opgieten van een bolus water was er stase te zien ter hoogte van de borstingang bij vijf van de tien paarden. Het echografisch beoordelen van de slokdarmmotiliteit ter hoogte van de borstingang leek het betrouwbaarst door de passage van een krachtvoerbolus te evalueren. Stase ter hoogte van de borstingang veroorzaakt door het opgieten van een bolus vloeistof is niet abnormaal en de peristaltische golf volgend op een slikbeweging heeft een positieve invloed op de transittijd van een bolus.
Orale ivermectine-intoxicatie op een vleeskalverbedrijf
Authors: Vermeulen H. , Pardon B. , Croubels S. , Vercruysse J. , Deprez P.
Published: April 2020

In deze casus wordt een vermoedelijk kwaadwillige, orale ivermectine-intoxicatie op een Vlaams vleeskalverbedrijf besproken. Alle 330 kalveren van twee tot vier weken oud werden in de eerste week na aankomst op het bedrijf getroffen. De symptomen waren ernstige depressie, het neerliggen in laterale of sternale positie, tremor en kopschudden. Uiteindelijk stierf 13,6% van de kalveren. De overige dieren herstelden gradueel met ondersteunende orale rehydratatietherapie over een termijn van vijf tot zeven dagen. In de kunstmelk kon een ivermectinegehalte van 35 mg/kg aangetoond worden. In het serum van drie kalveren werden ivermectinegehaltes van 0,75 mg/kg tot 1,1 mg/kg gevonden. De vermoedelijk toegediende dosering was 1,75 mg/kg lichaamsgewicht voor een gemiddeld kalf (40 kg). In deze casus wordt aangetoond dat orale toxiciteitsverschijnselen van ivermectine bij kalveren van twee tot vier weken oud kunnen optreden aan een dosis die 8,75 keer hoger is dan de geregistreerde therapeutische dosis voor subcutane toediening bij rundvee.
Farmacokinetiek van geneesmiddelen bij vogels en de toepassingen en beperkingen van dosisextrapolatie
Authors: Houben R. , Antonissen G. , Croubels S. , De Backer P. , Devreese M.
Published: April 2020

De farmacokinetische processen van geneesmiddelen, i.e. absorptie, distributie, metabolisatie en excretie, kunnen sterk verschillen tussen vogels en zoogdieren. Zo worden aminoglycosiden bij vogels trager geklaard en hebben een lager distributievolume dan bij zoogdieren. Deze farmacokinetische verschillen zijn hoofdzakelijk het gevolg van anatomische, biochemische en fysiologische verschillen tussen vogels en zoogdieren. Deze diersoortverschillen en verschillen in geobserveerde en voorspelde farmacokinetische parameters van geneesmiddelen bij vogels geëxtrapoleerd vanuit zoogdieren, zoals de klaring voor enrofloxacine, salicylzuur, meloxicam en flunixine, wijzen erop dat farmacokinetische gegevens van een geneesmiddel bij zoogdieren nauwelijks geëxtrapoleerd kunnen worden naar vogels. Ook tussen vogelsoorten onderling kunnen er verschillen aanwezig zijn. Indien mogelijk dient de dosisselectie van een geneesmiddel voor vogels bijgevolg te gebeuren op basis van de farmacokinetische gegevens van de desbetreffende vogelsoort. Indien dergelijke gegevens niet beschikbaar zijn, kan er gebruik gemaakt worden van allometrische schaling, waarbij de dosisselectie gebeurt op basis van de farmacokinetische gegevens van een andere vogelsoort gecorreleerd aan het lichaamsgewicht van deze vogelsoorten. Schaling op basis van zoogdiergegevens wordt slechts aangeraden indien de farmacokinetische gegevens van andere vogelsoorten niet beschikbaar zijn en het betreffende geneesmiddel een lage toxiciteit heeft.
Prevalentie van respiratoire pathogenen in neusswabs van paarden met acute ademhalingsstoornissen in België
Authors: Broux B. , Gryspeerdt A. , Amory H. , Frippiat T. , Gasthuys F. , Legrand L. , Deprez P.
Published: April 2020

Infectieuze aandoeningen zijn een belangrijke oorzaak van ademhalingsproblemen bij paarden. Ze kunnen aanleiding geven tot een verstoorde longfunctie, verminderde prestaties en soms ernstige klinische ziekte. Hoewel meestal bacteriële infecties vermoed worden, zijn virussen een onderschatte oorzaak van besmettelijke ademhalingsinfecties bij paarden. In deze studie werden neusswabs genomen bij 103 paarden met symptomen van acute ademhalingsinfectie en gescreend op de aanwezigheid van 13 verschillende equine ademhalingspathogenen. Gammaherpesvirussen waren, met 60% positieve stalen, de meest gedetecteerde pathogenen, gevolgd door streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infecties (30%). Rhinovirus B, streptococcus equi subsp. equi, adenovirus 1 en EHV-4 werden minder frequent gevonden. Verder onderzoek is nodig om het belang van gammaherpesvirussen bij het paard correct te interpreteren. Nationale surveillance van ademhalingsvirussen bij paarden door middel van PCR-analyse op neusswabs zou een nuttig waarschuwingssysteem voor dreigende virale epidemieën kunnen zijn.