bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bias-Based Cyberaggression in Northwestern Mexican Adolescents: Associations With Moral Disengagement
Authors: Navarro-Rodríguez Christián Denisse , Vera Noriega Jose A. , Bauman Sheri
Published: November 2021

Although there is a body of literature that addresses victimization of adolescents based on their membership in stigmatized groups, there is little that focuses on this type of aggression delivered digitally. Furthermore, the extant literature typically focuses on the targets of such aggression, but scant attention has been paid to the aggressors. To address this gap, the current study investigated characteristics of perpetrators of bias-based cyberaggression in a sample of 554 self-reported cyber-aggressors among 1695 12- to15-year-old adolescents in northwestern Mexico. Approximately one-fourth of these cyber-aggressors engaged in bias-based cyberaggression. Demographic characteristics were investigated in an attempt to describe those most at risk for perpetration of bias-based aggression. In addition, the influence of moral disengagement was examined in this unique sample. Results showed that cyber-aggressors who were male and younger were disproportionately represented among those whose cyberaggression was motivated by some type of bias. Bias-based cyberaggression was associated with higher levels of several types of moral disengagement. Possible explanations and implications of the findings are discussed.
Global production networks and the uneven development of regional training systems: Conceptualizing an approach and proposing a research agenda
Authors: Teixeira Tiago RA
Published: November 2021

This article argues that the global value chains framework has a problematic approach to examining the impact of value chains on workforce development systems (WDSs), given how it is based on market relations and a firm-centric view. The paper develops an alternative approach to examine value chains’ impact on WDSs as territorially and institutionally regulated, and as part of broader dynamics of accumulation and uneven development. A research agenda is suggested, which emphasizes the “dark side” of value chains’ impact on WDSs. This article contributes to the economic geography literature concerned with value chains, including the Global Production Networks approach.
Eruptive Seborrheic Keratoses Are Associated With a Co-Occurring Malignancy in the Majority of Reported Cases: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mirali Sara , Mufti Asfandyar , Lansang Rafael Paolo , Sachdeva Muskaan , Yeung Jensen
Published: November 2021

Background

Eruptive seborrheic keratoses (ESK) is a benign skin condition that has been associated with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. We conducted a systematic review of reported cases of ESK to identify and summarize associated comorbidities.

Methods

MEDLINE and Embase were searched from database inception (1946) to July 31, 2020 for original articles describing ESK with or without a co-occurring condition. Subject demographics, as well as details of ESK and associated diagnoses were extracted from 76 articles (70 case reports, 3 case series, 3 case control studies) representing 92 patients.

Results

In total, 76.1% ( n = 70/92) of patients with ESK had a co-occurring malignancy, 4.3% ( n = 4/92) presented with a nonmalignant condition, 9.8% ( n = 9/92) experienced ESK as an adverse drug reaction, and 9.8% ( n = 9/92) did not report any underlying medical condition. ESK preceded a cancer diagnosis in 76.1% ( n = 70/92) of patients with a mean latency period of 4.0 months (range: 0.25-9 months). The most common malignancies associated with ESK were cutaneous T-cell lymphoma ( n = 10/70, 14.3%) and gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma ( n = 9/70, 12.9%). ESK preceded nonmalignant conditions or no disease in 14.1% ( n = 13/92) of patients with a mean latency period of 3.1 months (range: 0.75-6 months). Drug-induced ESK occurred in 9.8% ( n = 9/92) of patients with a mean latency period of 7.1 weeks after changing medication.

Conclusion

Although the role of ESK as a paraneoplastic cutaneous marker is debated, healthcare providers should consider screening for underlying malignancy in patients presenting with ESK. Larger studies are needed to confirm its role as a marker for disease.
Therapeutic Options for the Treatment of Darier’s Disease: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature
Authors: Hanna Nardin , Lam Megan , Fleming Patrick , Lynde Charles W.
Published: November 2021

Darier’s disease (also known as keratosis follicularis or dyskeratosis follicularis) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder which manifests as hyperkeratotic greasy papules in the first or second decade of life. Aside from symptom management and behavioral modifications to avoid triggers, there are currently no validated treatments for Darier’s disease (DD). However, a variety of treatments have been proposed in the literature including retinoids, steroids, vitamin D analogs, photodynamic therapy, and surgical excision. The purpose of this review article is to identify therapeutic options for treating DD and to outline the evidence underlying these interventions. A search was conducted in Medline for English language articles from inception to July 4, 2020. Our search identified a total of 474 nonduplicate studies, which were screened by title and abstract. Of these, 155 full text articles were screened against inclusion/exclusion criteria, and 113 studies were included in our review. We identified Grade B evidence for the following treatments of DD: oral acitretin, oral isotretinoin, systemic Vitamin A, topical tretinoin, topical isotretinoin, topical adapalene gel, topical 5-flououracil, topical calciptriol and tacalcitol (with sunscreen), grenz ray radiation, and x-ray radiation. All other evidence for treatments of DD consisted of case reports or case series, which is considered grade C evidence. Considering the quality and quantity of evidence, clinicians may consider initiating a trial of select topical or oral retinoids first in patients with localized or generalized DD, respectively.
Re-examining Adult Education and Training Participation by Education, Literacy, Gender, and Race/Ethnicity in the U.S.
Authors: Punksungka Wonmai , Yamashita Takashi , Helsinger Abigail , Karam Rita , Cummins Phyllis , Kramer Jenna
Published: November 2021

This study examined the associations between adult education and training (AET) participation, educational attainment, literacy skills, gender, and race/ethnicity among the U.S. adult population aged 25 to 65 years old (n = 5,450). Given the socioeconomic advancements of women and racial/ethnic minorities in the last few decades, including higher educational attainment, increased labor force participation, and greater income, and as new data becomes available, it is important to re-examine AET participation by gender and race/ethnicity in the U.S while controlling for educational attainment and literacy skills. This study employed the 2012/2014 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) public-use file (PUF). Binary logistic regression was used to examine (1) any AET, (2) formal AET, and (3) non-formal AET across all variables of interest. Indeed, educational attainment and literacy skills are associated with greater AET participation. Further analyses showed that more women than men participated in all forms of AET, and there were some variations in AET participation by racial/ethnic minorities. More Black, Hispanic, and other racial/ethnic minority adults participated in formal AET, and more Black adults participated in all forms of AET, compared to their White counterparts. This study also provides within-race/ethnicity group variations.
Measuring the effect of gender segregation on the gender gap in time-related underemployment
Authors: Acosta-Ballesteros Juan , Osorno-del Rosal María del Pilar , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Olga María
Published: November 2021

This paper focuses on the impact that gender segregation in the labour market exerts on the underemployment gender gap for young adult workers in Spain. In order to analyse the relative importance of segregation in this gap, we develop a methodology based on two counterfactual simulations that provides a detailed decomposition of the gap into endowments and coefficients effects as well as the interaction of these effects. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to perform a decomposition using bivariate probit models with sample selection. Using annual samples of the Spanish Labour Force Survey 2006–2016, the results show that working in female-dominated occupations or industries hinders working as many hours as desired, especially for women. Furthermore, we conclude that the gender gap in underemployment is mainly due to the different distribution of male and female workers across occupations and industries. Additionally, the different impact by gender that working in the same gender-typing jobs exerts on the risk of underemployment contributes to widening the gap.
Expression of transport proteins in the rete mirabile of european silver and yellow eel
Authors: Schneebauer Gabriel , Drechsel Victoria , Dirks Ron , Faserl Klaus , Sarg Bettina , Pelster Bernd
Published: December 2021

Background

In physoclist fishes filling of the swimbladder requires acid secretion of gas gland cells to switch on the Root effect and subsequent countercurrent concentration of the initial gas partial pressure increase by back-diffusion of gas molecules in the rete mirabile. It is generally assumed that the rete mirabile functions as a passive exchanger, but a detailed analysis of lactate and water movements in the rete mirabile of the eel revealed that lactate is diffusing back in the rete. In the present study we therefore test the hypothesis that expression of transport proteins in rete capillaries allows for back-diffusion of ions and metabolites, which would support the countercurrent concentrating capacity of the rete mirabile. It is also assumed that in silver eels, the migratory stage of the eel, the expression of transport proteins would be enhanced.

Results

Analysis of the transcriptome and of the proteome of rete mirabile tissue of the European eel revealed the expression of a large number of membrane ion and metabolite transport proteins, including monocarboxylate and glucose transport proteins. In addition, ion channel proteins, Ca2+-ATPase, Na+/K+-ATPase and also F1F0-ATP synthase were detected. In contrast to our expectation in silver eels the expression of these transport proteins was not elevated as compared to yellow eels. A remarkable number of enzymes degrading reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected in rete capillaries.

Conclusions

Our results reveal the expression of a large number of transport proteins in rete capillaries, so that the back diffusion of ions and metabolites, in particular lactate, may significantly enhance the countercurrent concentrating ability of the rete. Metabolic pathways allowing for aerobic generation of ATP supporting secondary active transport mechanisms are established. Rete tissue appears to be equipped with a high ROS defense capacity, preventing damage of the tissue due to the high oxygen partial pressures generated in the countercurrent system.
A rare case of a male child with post-zygotic de novo mosaic variant c.538C > T in MECP2 gene: a case report of Rett syndrome
Authors: Shah Jhanvi , Patel Harsh , Jain Deepika , Sheth Frenny , Sheth Harsh
Published: December 2021

Background

Rett syndrome (RTT) is characterized by a normal perinatal period with a normal head size at birth followed by normal development for the first 6 months of life followed by gradual deceleration of head growth, loss of acquired purposeful hand skills, severe expressive and receptive language impairment, severe intellectual disability and gait and truncal apraxia/ ataxia. It is caused due to mutations in the MECP2 gene and follows an X-linked dominant mode of inheritance. It was observed exclusively in females and was believed to be lethal in males. In contrast to this belief, several males were identified with RTT upon genetic analysis, however, most males expired by the age of 2 years due to neonatal encephalopathy. The ones that survived beyond the age of 2 years, were attributed to the presence of an extra X chromosome (co-occurrence of Klinefelter and RTT) or the ones having mosaic cell lines. Only 11 males with somatic mosaicism are known till date.

Case presentation

This case reports an ultra-rare case of a male affected with RTT surviving beyond the age of 2 years due to post-zygotic de novo somatic mosaicism. He was identified with a known pathogenic variant c.538C > T (p.R180*), which to the best of our knowledge is exclusively seen in females and has never been reported in a male before.

Conclusion

The present case is the first report of a mosaic male affected with RTT from India. The present report also carried out genotype-phenotype correlations across surviving mosaic males with RTT. We also postulate the effect of variant type, position along the gene and the variant allele fraction in different tissue types to be correlated with disease severity.
Understanding the complexity of sepsis mortality prediction via rule discovery and analysis: a pilot study
Authors: Wu Ying , Huang Shuai , Chang Xiangyu
Published: November 2021

Background

Sepsis, defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, has become one of the major causes of death in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The heterogeneity and complexity of this syndrome lead to the absence of golden standards for its diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The early prediction of in-hospital mortality for sepsis patients is not only meaningful to medical decision making, but more importantly, relates to the well-being of patients.

Methods

In this paper, a rule discovery and analysis (rule-based) method is used to predict the in-hospital death events of 2021 ICU patients diagnosed with sepsis using the MIMIC-III database. The method mainly includes two phases: rule discovery phase and rule analysis phase. In the rule discovery phase, the RuleFit method is employed to mine multiple hidden rules which are capable to predict individual in-hospital death events. In the rule analysis phase, survival analysis and decomposition analysis are carried out to test and justify the risk prediction ability of these rules. Then by leveraging a subset of these rules, we establish a prediction model that is both more accurate at the in-hospital death prediction task and more interpretable than most comparable methods.

Results

In our experiment, RuleFit generates 77 risk prediction rules, and the average area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model based on 62 of these rules reaches 0.781 ($$\pm 0.018$$±0.018) which is comparable to or even better than the AUC of existing methods (i.e., commonly used medical scoring system and benchmark machine learning models). External validation of the prediction power of these 62 rules on another 1468 sepsis patients not included in MIMIC-III in ICU provides further supporting evidence for the superiority of the rule-based method. In addition, we discuss and explain in detail the rules with better risk prediction ability. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), serum potassium, and serum bilirubin are found to be the most important risk factors for predicting patient death.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that, with the rule-based method, we could not only make accurate prediction on in-hospital death events of sepsis patients, but also reveal the complex relationship between sepsis-related risk factors through the rules themselves, so as to improve our understanding of the complexity of sepsis as well as its population.
Long- and short-term clinical impact of awake extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as bridging therapy for lung transplantation
Authors: Kim Nam Eun , Woo Ala , Kim Song Yee , Leem Ah Young , Park Youngmok , Kwak Se Hyun , Yong Seung Hyun , Chung Kyungsoo , Park Moo Suk , Kim Young Sam , Kim Ha Eun , Lee Jin Gu , Paik Hyo Chae , Lee Su Hwan
Published: November 2021

Background

As lung transplantation (LTx) is becoming a standard treatment for end-stage lung disease, the use of bridging with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasing. We examined the clinical impact of being awake during ECMO as bridging therapy in patients awaiting LTx.

Methods

In this single-center study, we retrospectively reviewed 241 consecutive LTx patients between October 2012 and March 2019; 64 patients received ECMO support while awaiting LTx. We divided into awake and non-awake groups and compared.

Results

Twenty-five patients (39.1%) were awake, and 39 (61.0%) were non-awake. The median age of awake patients was 59.0 (interquartile range, 52.5–63.0) years, and 80% of the group was men. The awake group had better post-operative outcomes than the non-awake group: statistically shorter post-operative intensive care unit length of stay [awake vs. non-awake, 6 (4–8.5) vs. 18 (11–36), p < 0.001], longer ventilator free days [awake vs. non-awake, 24 (17–26) vs. 0 (0–15), p < 0.001], and higher gait ability after LTx (awake vs. non-awake, 92% vs. 59%, p = 0.004), leading to higher 6-month and 1-year lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s: awake vs. non-awake, 6-month, 77.5% vs. 61%, p = 0.004, 1-year, 75% vs. 57%, p = 0.013). Furthermore, the awake group had significantly lower 6-month and 1-year mortality rates than the non-awake group (6-month 12% vs. 38.5%, p = 0.022, 1-year 24% vs. 53.8%, p = 0.018).

Conclusions

In patients with end-stage lung disease, considering the long-term and short-term impacts, the awake ECMO strategy could be useful compared with the non-awake ECMO strategy.
Palmitic acid causes increased dihydroceramide levels when desaturase expression is directly silenced or indirectly lowered by silencing AdipoR2
Authors: Ruiz Mario , Henricsson Marcus , Borén Jan , Pilon Marc
Published: November 2021

Background

AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 (AdipoRs) are plasma membrane proteins often considered to act as adiponectin receptors with a ceramidase activity. Additionally, the AdipoRs and their yeast and C. elegans orthologs are emerging as membrane homeostasis regulators that counter membrane rigidification by promoting fatty acid desaturation and incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids into phospholipids, thus restoring fluidity.

Methods

Using cultured cells, the effects of AdipoR silencing or over-expression on the levels and composition of several sphingolipid classes were examined.

Results

AdipoR2 silencing in the presence of exogenous palmitic acid potently causes increased levels of dihydroceramides, a ceramide precursor in the de novo ceramide synthesis pathway. Conversely, AdipoR2 over-expression caused a depletion of dihydroceramides.

Conclusions

The results are consistent with AdipoR2 silencing leading to increased intracellular supply of palmitic acid that in turn leads to increased dihydroceramide synthesis via the rate-limiting serine palmitoyl transferase step. In agreement with this model, inhibiting the desaturase SCD or SREBF1/2 (positive regulators of SCD) also causes a strong increase in dihydroceramide levels.
Anthropogenic disturbances consistently favor the high-yield strategists of soil bacterial community in the Eurasian steppe
Authors: Fan Yi , Li Tingting , Liu Wei , Xu Minjie , Pang Shuang , Zhang Zijia , Zhang Lihua , Son Yowhan , Zhang Ximei
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Multiple anthropogenic disturbances, such as climate warming and nitrogen deposition are affecting terrestrial ecosystems. Different disturbances may have some consistent effects on the soil microbial community, which remains largely unexplored.

Methods

We mimicked 16 anthropogenic disturbances in a steppe ecosystem, and measured the absolute abundance and taxonomic composition of soil bacterial communities with qPCR and amplicon sequencing, respectively.

Results

We found that while the absolute abundance of each of the four dominant bacterial phyla did not show a consistent response to these disturbances, that of the five subdominant phyla showed a consistent increase. Meanwhile, these disturbances consistently stimulated the relative abundances of metabolic functions for high-growth-yield, including the transport/metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates. Stochastic processes (e.g., random birth) played more critical roles in structuring the subdominant than dominant phyla, and the disturbances promoted the stochastic processes.

Conclusions

Overall, the high-yield traits and stochasticity of subdominant phyla led to their positive responses to disturbances. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the intensifying human activities are likely to cause a high-yield-strategies-toward shift in soil microbial composition in the Eurasian steppe ecosystem.
Rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterus in an adult patient with osteopetrosis: a case report
Authors: Aminimoghaddam Soheila , Rahbari Ali , Pourali Roghayeh
Published: November 2021

Background

Uterine sarcoma accounts for 3–7% of uterine malignant neoplasms. It is more aggressive than epithelial neoplasms, and patients have a poor prognosis. Rhabdomyosarcoma is classified as a heterologous uterine sarcoma. It is the most common soft tissue malignancy in children while rare in adults. In young patients, the majority of genital tract rhabdomyosarcomas occur in vagina; however, the most common site of gynecologic rhabdomyosarcoma is cervix followed by uterine corpus, in adults. Uterine corpus rhabdomyosarcoma is rare in adults. Diagnosis of pure rhabdomyosarcoma in uterus involves widespread and perfect sampling as well as precise histopathological evaluation to uncover any epithelial component.

Case presentation

Here we report a case of pure rhabdomyosarcoma of uterine corpus in a 60-year-old Iranian postmenopausal female who had osteopetrosis, presenting with 8-month heavy vaginal bleeding and a protruding cervical mass. She is alive on 18-month follow-up after treatment.

Conclusions

Rhabdomyosarcoma of uterine corpus is rare in adults. Diagnosis of pure rhabdomyosarcoma in uterus involves widespread and perfect sampling as well as precise histopathological evaluation to uncover any epithelial component. Treatment options in adult gynecological rhabdomyosarcoma are based on studies in younger patients, and more studies may help us choose the best approach for improving outcome.
Pathogenicity of some local entomopathogenic fungus isolates on the cotton leafworm larvae, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Şahin Funda , Yanar Yusuf
Published: November 2021

Background

Pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), isolated from soil samples collected from Ordu Province, Turkey, was evaluated on the second-instar larvae of the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions.

Results

Firstly, single-concentration response tests were conducted in order to determine the efficacy of the 64 isolates on S. littoralis larvae at the concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/ml. The five isolates displaying the highest mortality rates in single-concentration response tests, ORU-50, ORM-40, ORP-13, ORP-27 and ORM-48 (which included Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium brunneum and Clonostachys rogersoniana), were subjected to concentration–response tests at the concentrations of 1 × 105–1 × 109 conidia/ml. The lowest LC50 and LC90 values were recorded at ORP-27 with 1.68 × 107 and 4.60 × 108 conidia/ml, respectively, followed by ORP-13 and ORM-40.

Conclusions

Accordingly, it was found that M. brunneum isolates were more effective than B. bassiana and C. rogersoniana against S. littoralis larvae. ORP-27, ORP-13 and ORM-40 of M. brunneum isolates can be a potential biological control agent used against S. littoralis larvae.
Green product awareness effect on green purchase intentions of university students’: an emerging market’s perspective
Authors: Ansu-Mensah Peter
Published: November 2021

The indiscriminate consumption patterns worldwide have brought in its wake severe problems like pollution and global warming, and this has ultimately called for green products awareness and consumption. The main purpose of this study was to assess the effect of university students’ awareness of green products on their green purchasing intentions. The specific objectives were to identify whether awareness, price, availability, value and quality influence university students’ intention to purchase green products, and to investigate how awareness, price, availability, value and quality predict university students’ intention to purchase green products. A structural equation modeling was used to analyze data collected from an online survey of 478 students. Results show that green perceived quality has the utmost significant positive impact on university students’ green purchase intentions; however, green perceived availability had the slightest impact on university students’ intention to purchase green products. The study is the foremost to conclude that green product awareness impact on university students green purchase intentions is greatly driven by price, high value and extraordinary quality. However, availability is not a critical influencing factor when it comes to green purchase intentions of university students. The implications of study, limitations and further research are discussed.
A review of some amplitude-based seismic geometric attributes and their applications
Authors: Verma Sumit , Chopra Satinder , Ha Thang , Li Fangyu
Published: November 2021

Seismic interpreters frequently use seismic geometric attributes, such as coherence, dip, curvature, and aberrancy for defining geologic features, including faults, channels, angular unconformities, etc. Some of the commonly used coherence attributes, such as cross correlation or energy-ratio similarity, are sensitive to only waveform shape changes, whereas the dip, curvature, and aberrancy attributes are based on changes in reflector dips. There is another category of seismic attributes, which includes attributes that are sensitive to amplitude values. Root-mean-square amplitude is one of the better-known amplitude-based attributes, whereas coherent energy, Sobel-filter similarity, normalized amplitude gradients, and amplitude curvature are among lesser-known amplitude-based attributes. We have computed not-so-common amplitude-based attributes on the Penobscot seismic survey from the Nova Scotia continental shelf consisting of the east coast of Canada, to bring out their interpretive value. We analyze seismic attributes at the level of the top of the Wyandot Formation that exhibits different geologic features, including a synthetic transfer zone with two primary faults and several secondary faults, polygonal faults associated with differential compaction, as well as fixtures related to basement-related faults. The application of the amplitude-based seismic attributes defines such features accurately. We take these applications forward by describing a situation in which some geologic features do not display any bending of reflectors but only exhibit changes in amplitude. One such example is the Cretaceous Cree Sand channels present in the same 3D seismic survey used for the previous applications. We compute amplitude curvature attributes and identify the channels, whereas these channels are not visible on the structural curvature display. In both of the applications, we observe that appropriate corendering not-so-common amplitude-based seismic attributes lead to convincing displays, which can be of immense aid in seismic interpretation and help define the different subsurface features with more clarity.
Prevalence and determinants of low testosterone levels in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus; a case-control study in a district hospital in Ghana
Authors: Serwaa Dorcas , Bello Folasade Adenike , Osungbade Kayode O. , Nkansah Charles , Osei-Boakye Felix , Appiah Samuel Kwasi , Antwi Maxwell Hubert , Danquah Mark , Buckman Tonnies Abeku , Owusu Ernest
Published: December 2021

Diabetes mellitus, an endocrine disorder, has been implicated in many including hypogonadism in men. Given the fact that diabetes mellitus is becoming a fast-growing epidemic and the morbidity associated with it is more disabling than the disease itself. This study sought to assess the prevalence of low testosterone levels and predictors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and non-diabetic men in a district hospital in Ghana. This hospital-based case-control study comprised 150 type 2 diabetics and 150 healthy men. A pre-structured questionnaire and patient case notes were used to document relevant demographic and clinical information. Venous blood sample of about 6 ml was taken to measure FBS, HbA1c, FSH, LH, and testosterone levels. All data were analyzed using STATA version 12 (STATA Corporation, Texas, USA). The overall hypogonadism in the study population was 48% (144/300). The prevalence of hypogonadism in type 2 diabetic subjects was almost three times more than in healthy men (70.7% vs 25.3%). The odds of having hypogonadism was lower in the men with normal weight and overweight with their underweight counterparts (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI; 0.12–0.96, p = 0.042) and (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI; 0.10–0.84, p = 0.023) respectively. Also, the odds of suffering from hypogonadism was lower in non-smokers compared with smokers (AOR: 0.16, 95% CI; 0.05–0.58, p = 0.005). Participants who were engaged in light (AOR: 0.29, 95% CI; 0.14–0.61, p = 0.001), moderate (AOR: 0.26, 95% CI; 0.13–0.54, p<0.001) and heavy (AOR: 0.25, 95% CI; 0.10–0.67, p = 0.006) leisure time activities had lower odds hypogonadal compared to those engaged in sedentary living. Type 2 diabetic men have high incidence of hypogonadism, irrespective of their baseline clinical, lifestyle or demographic characteristics. Smoking and sedentary lifestyle and BMI were associated with hypogonadism in the study population. Routine testosterone assessment and replacement therapy for high risk patients is recommended to prevent the detrimental effect of hypogonadism in diabetic men.
Gender gap in life expectancy in India and role of age groups: A comparison between before and after male – female life expectancy at birth crossover
Authors: Borah Girimallika
Published: December 2021

To assess the gender gap in life expectancy at birth in India and its major states as well as the timing of male-female life expectancy at birth crossover. To analyze the age-specific contributions to the changing gender differences before and after the crossover at the national and sub-national levels. We have used sample-survey-based age-specific mortality data available for the periods 1970–2018 to construct abridged life tables. The contribution of different age groups to the gender gap is estimated by using Arriaga’s method of decomposition. During 1981–85 female life expectancy at birth caught up with male life expectancy at birth for India and by 2005 all major states completed the crossover. The male-female crossover in life expectancy at the national level in the early 80s is remarkable in the face of continued female disadvantage from birth till adolescence, even for some richer states. We provide evidence that gender difference in longevity in favour of females is largely a function of adult age groups and younger age groups contribute negatively to the gender gap in life expectancy at birth in most states. Juxtaposing the results from contribution in an absolute number of years and their relative contribution change before and after the crossover, it is established that although the adult and old age groups contribute the highest in the absolute number of years before and after the crossover, the contribution of the reproductive age groups and childhood years in the recent time is most relevant in relative terms.
Occurrence of Marek's disease in vaccinated Algerian broiler breeder flocks: A histopathological survey
Authors: Lounas Abdelaziz , Besbaci Mohamed , Akkou Madjid , Tali Oumennoune
Published: November 2021

Background and Aim: Marek's disease (MD) is a lymphoproliferative disease that occurs in chickens. In the absence of control measures, MD causes devastating losses to commercial poultry flocks. Vaccination has enabled dramatic success in the prevention and control of MD. However, the MD vaccination program has failed frequently, and occasional clinical outbreaks have been reported in the vaccinated flocks as well. The present study aimed to describe the clinical and histopathological characteristics of the field cases of MD in broiler breeder flocks.

Materials and Methods: A survey on the update of MD occurrence in Algerian broiler breeder flocks was conducted from June 2020 to September 2020. Ten vaccinated broiler breeder flocks located in Central Algeria and having progressive tumors in different visceral organs were evaluated for MD virus infection by conducting a histopathological examination of the birds.

Results: The age of the birds affected with MD ranged from 13 to 22 weeks. The mortality rate varied sensitively from 4% to 10%. The clinical symptoms reported in the affected flocks included locomotor, nervous, digestive, and respiratory symptoms. Necropsy of the dead or euthanized birds revealed visceral lymphomatosis in several organs and macroscopic changes in the peripheral nerves (including loss of longitudinal striation, color change [grayish], and volume increase). The histopathological findings included the infiltration and proliferation of lymphocytes and blast cells (lymphoblasts) in various organs of the birds, which are the typical characteristics of MD and, therefore, confirmed the field infection of MD in these birds.

Conclusion: The present study provided evidence for the high prevalence of MD in the broiler breeder flocks vaccinated with a bivalent vaccine (turkey herpesvirus+Rispens) at the hatchery. The findings of the present study may indicate highlevel failure of vaccination in these birds.
A PATIENT-CENTERED ANALYSIS OF ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION IN A RANDOMIZED BEHAVIORAL TRIAL OF TWO COGNITIVE REHABILITATION INTERVENTIONS FOR MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Authors: Locke D.E.C. , Chandler Greenaway M. , Duncan N. , Fields J.A. , Cuc A.V. , Hoffman Snyder C. , Hanna S. , Lunde A. , Smith G.E.
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND: A major potential barrier for studying behavioral interventions for patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is the willingness and ability of people to enroll in and adhere to behavioral interventions, especially when the intervention involves dyads of patients with MCI and support partners. Details regarding recruitment strategies and processes (such as number of dyads screened) are often missing from reports of behavioral trials. In addition, reports do not detail the reasons a potentially eligible candidate opts out of participation in a research study. OBJECTIVES: To describe the challenges and successes of enrollment and retention in a behavioral trial for persons with MCI and their care partners, and to better understand barriers to participation from the patient’s point of view. DESIGN: Multi-site, randomized trial. SETTING: Major medical centers. PARTICIPANTS: Our accrual target for the study was 60 participants. Potential candidates were patients presenting to memory evaluation clinics whose resulting clinical diagnosis was MCI. A total of 200 consecutive potential candidates were approached about participating in the study across the three sites. INTERVENTION: Detailed recruitment and retention data of a randomized trial comparing two behavioral interventions (memory notebook training versus computer training) provided in two separate training time frames (10 days versus 6 weeks). MEASUREMENTS: Structured interview with those declining to participate in the trial. RESULTS: Overall recruitment 37% with a range of 13%-72% across sites. Overall retention 86% with a range of 74%-94% across sites. CONCLUSIONS: The primary barriers to enrollment from the patient’s perspective were distance to the treatment center and competing comprehensive behavioral programming. However, retention data suggest that those dyads who enroll in behavioral programs are highly committed.
BRAIN DONATION BY PROXY: ARE THERE PREDICTORS IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DEMENTIA?
Authors: Olazarán J. , López-Álvarez J. , Aguiera-Ortiz L. , Valentí M. , Zea-Sevilla M.A. , González B. , León-Salas B. , Dobato J.L. , Rábano A.
Published: November 2021

OBJECTIVES: To describe the frequency and predictors of brain donation by relatives in patients with neurodegenerative dementia. DESIGN: Database review and quantitative analysis. SETTING: The Alzheimer Center Reina Sofia Foundation (ACRSF), a center devoted to the care and research of patients with neurodegenerative dementia. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with signed consent for participation in the ACRSF research program. MEASUREMENTS: A set of 38 demographic, clinical, and social variables related to patient and closest relative, which were collected by the ACRSF multidisciplinary team upon patient admission. RESULTS: Admission data were available for 198 patients who entered the ACRSF research program; 85 of them (42.9%) died during follow-up. Mean age (SD) at admission was 82.3 (6.8) years and 80.8% of the patients were female. Family link between patient and closest relative was spouse or partner (12.0%), son or daughter (74.9%), or other link (13.1%). Brain was obtained from 56 patients (65.9%). Consent by legal representative and patient’s depressive symptoms were more frequent in the donors (p<0.05, corrected) and trend was observed for more aberrant motor symptoms in the donors (p<0.05, uncorrected). CONCLUSION: A high rate of brain donation was achieved, probably due to the unique characteristics of the ACRSF and consent for research policy. Wish of alleviating suffering, as well as general interest in dementia research, possibly exerted an influence in brain donation. More research is needed to ascertain the values, motivations, and circumstances that may lead to brain donation by proxy in neurodegenerative dementia.
CEREAL INTAKE INCREASES AND DAIRY PRODUCTS DECREASE RISK OF COGNITIVE DECLINE AMONG ELDERLY FEMALE JAPANESE
Authors: Otsuka R. , Kato Y. , Nishita Y. , Tange C. , Nakamoto M. , Tomida M. , Imai T. , Ando F. , Shimokata H.
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND: If cognitive decline can be prevented through changes in daily diet with no medical intervention, it will be highly significant for dementia prevention. OBJECTIVES: This longitudinal study examined the associations of different food intakes on cognitive decline among Japanese subjects. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The National Institute for Longevity Sciences - Longitudinal Study of Aging, a community-based study. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 298 males and 272 females aged 60 to 81 years at baseline who participated in the follow-up study (third to seventh wave) at least one time. MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in all study waves. Nutritional intake was assessed using a 3-day dietary record in the second wave. Cumulative data among participants with an MMSE >27 in the second wave were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for an MMSE score ≤27 in each study wave according to a 1 standard deviation (SD) increase of each food intake at baseline were estimated, after adjusting for age, follow-up time, MMSE score at baseline, education, body mass index, annual household income, current smoking status, energy intake, and history of diseases. RESULTS: In men, after adjusting for age, and follow-up period, MMSE score at baseline, the adjusted OR for a decline in MMSE score was 1.20 (95% CI, 1.02-1.42; p=0.032) with a 1-SD increase in cereal intake. After adjusting for education and other confounding variables, the OR for a decrease in MMSE score did not reach statistical significance for this variable. In women, multivariate adjusted OR for MMSE decline was 1.43 (95% CI, 1.15-1.77; p=0.001) with a 1-SD increase in cereal intake and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.65-0.98; p=0.034) with a 1-SD increase in milk and dairy product intake. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that a 1-SD (108 g/day) decrease in cereal intake and a 1-SD (128 g/day) increase in milk and dairy product intake may have an influence of cognitive decline in community-dwelling Japanese women aged 60 years and older. Further studies are needed in order to explore the potential causal relationship.
THREE CARDINAL LESSONS FROM ADAPT – 10 YEARS ON
Authors: Breitner J.C.S. , Lyketsos C.G.
Published: November 2021

The Alzheimer’s Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial was a placebo-controlled three-arm pharmaco-prevention trial of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs naproxen sodium and celecoxib for prevention of incident Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia in older (aged 70 and over) adults. Although subjects were at increased risk of symptoms because of a firstdegree family history, they were meant to be cognitively healthy at enrollment. ADAPT encountered several problems that resulted in the termination of its treatments after only two years on average. Interim results were complex but potentially interesting. In the end, however, the results were null. We describe the complications that prevented ADAPT from achieving conclusive results, and suggest that these could have been avoided if the trial design and execution had been better guided by preliminary data. We believe such data should be available before beginning further ambitious phase III trials of this sort, and we suggest a broad method by which such data can be accumulated with reasonable economy.
Pemanfaatan Batubara Kalori Rendah pada IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle)
Authors: Zaman Muhammad Rizaldi , Suedy Sri Widodo Agung
Published: November 2021

Kekhawatiran akan emisi gas rumah kaca dan krisis energi yang semakin dirasakan negara-negara didunia khususnya di Indonesia menyebabkan perlu dilakukan pengembangan energi alternatif yang bersih dan ramah lingkungan. Teknologi Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle dapat menjadi alternatif terbaik untuk  mengatasi permasalaan tersebut. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk memberikan gambaran dan keuntungan dari proses IGCC berdasarkan penilitian-penelitian yang sudah ada sehingga dapat dilakukan pengembangan pemanfaatan IGCC menggunakan batubara lignit di Indonesia. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan studi literatur, pengumpulan data dilakukan dari penelitian-penelitian yang sudah ada untuk mengetahui dampak dan metode yang digunakan untuk mengeringkan batubara rendah yang memiliki moisture tinggi. Analisis dalam penelitian dilakukan menggunakan perbandingan dari setiap literatur, sehingga diperoleh proses dan teknologi yang sesuai untuk pemanfaatan IGCC. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pemanfaatan teknologi IGCC menggunakan batubara lignit sangat menjanjikan karena walaupun lignit memiliki keterbatasan dalam efisiensi termal karena moisture bahan bakar yang sangat tinggi namun hal ini bisa diminimalisir menggunakan proses drying. Jumlah batubara lignit yang melimpah di Indonesia dapat memudahkan pengembangan IGCC dan emisi yang dihasilkan lebih rendah daripada pembangkit fosil lainnya.
Analisis Biaya dan Manfaat Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Listrik (PLTS) Pada Kabupaten Muara Enim
Authors: Anggara Gusti Prasetyo Rendy , Windarta Jaka
Published: November 2021

Kabupaten Muara Enim merupakan daerah agraris dengan luas wilayah 7.483,06 Km2, terbagi menjadi 22 kecamatan, terdiri dari 245 desa definitif dan 10 kelurahan. Penggunaan listrik di Kabupaten Muara Enim tahun 2020 dilihat dari jumlah pelanggan, mengalami peningkatan dibandingkan dengan tahun 2019. Dari 77.187 pelanggan menjadi 81.183 pelanggan, atau naik sekitar 5,18 persen. Kebutuhan pembangunan pembangkit memerlukan beberapa pertimbangan terkait sumber energi yang akan digunakan. Pusat Teknologi Pengembangan Sumber Daya Energi (PTPSE) pada tahun 2015 melalui outlook energi Indonesia memperkirakan harga minyak akan meningkat menjadi sebesar US$188,9 per barel pada tahun 2050, harga batubara menjadi US$210,7 per ton pada tahun 2050 dan harga LNG akan meningkat menjadi US$210,7 per MMBTU pada tahun 2050. Kenaikan harga tersebut diproyeksikan akan membebani anggaran pemerintah. Oleh karena itu perlunya sebuah energi alternatif yang dapat menjadi sebuah solusi terutama di kabupaten Muara Enim. Dalam kajian ini didapati bahwa proyek akan layak jika tariff PLTS minimal sebesar 28% beserta biaya operasionalnya dibawah 35%/tahun.
Notch Signaling and MicroRNA: The Dynamic Duo Steering Between Neurogenesis and Glioblastomas
Authors: Javed Zeeshan , Khan Khushbukhat , Raza Qamar , Sadia Haleema , Ahmad Shah Faiez , Ahmad Touqeer , Bentivegna Angela , Bazzoni Riccardo , Setzer William N. , Alshehri Mohammed M , Sharifi-Rad Javad , Daştan Sevgi Durna
Published: November 2021

Notch signaling is an evolutionary conserved pathway that plays a central role in development and differentiation of eukaryotic cells. It has been well documented that Notch signaling is inevitable for neuronal cell growth and homeostasis. It regulates process of differentiation from early embryonic stages to fully developed brain. To achieve this streamlined development of neuronal cells, a number of cellular processes are being orchestrated by the Notch signaling. Abrogated Notch signaling is related to several brain tumors, including glioblastomas. On the other hand, microRNAs are small molecules that play decisive role in mediating and modulating Notch signaling. This review discusses the crucial role of Notch signaling in development of nervous system and how this versatile pathway interplay with microRNAs in glioblastoma. This review sheds light on interplay between abrogated Notch signaling and miRNAs in the regulation of neuronal differentiation with special focus on miRNAs mediated regulation of tumorigenesis in glioblastoma. Furthermore, it discusses different aspects of neurogenesis modulated by the Notch signaling that could be exploited for the identification of new diagnostic tools and therapies for the treatment of glioblastoma.
Orphan Imports and Lost Exports in India’s Trade: A Quantitative Assessment of the Significance and Implications for Illicit Financial Flows
Authors: Akhter Javaid , Tiwari Praveen
Published: November 2021

Orphan imports and lost exports refer to import and export transactions that have been reported by only one of the two trading partners.They are excluded from computations of trade mis-invoicing based on comparing partner country trade statistics. We show that India’s trade with 19 trading partners over 2000-2018 not only indicates substantial trade mis-invoicing but alsosignificant orphan and lost trade in the commodities displaying mis- invoicing. We also show that the amounts involved show an uptrend and are more pronounced in imports, with the orphan imports recorded by India being more than 15 times the orphan imports recorded by partner countries. Therefore, any conclusion on illicit flows through mis-invoicing in these commodities will be incomplete without analysing the impact of orphan and lost trade. We analyse some possible causes and discuss specific commodity-level examples to demonstrate that orphan and lost trade could not only lead to re-adjustment of computed amounts of trade mis-invoicing but, in the worst scenario, indicate serious fraud, with important implications for illicit flows. The paper’s finding that only a few commodities account for bulk of the amounts in orphan and lost trade could facilitate better analysis and mitigation measures.