bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pemikiran Ikhwanus Shafa Tentang Pendidikan dan Relevansinya dengan Pendidikan di Indonesia
Authors: Sumantri Budi Agus
Published: December 2019

Ilmu pendidikan pada dasarnya merupakan rangkaian pengalaman panjang kegiatan manusia sepanjang pendidikan sejarah yang disusun secara sistematis sehingga mudah dipahami, diuji, diterapkan, dan dikembangkan dari generasi ke genarasi. Sehingga konsep dan teori pendidikan yang ada sekarang atau masa depan, dikembangkan kembali di masa depan oleh para ahli. Hal ini pada intinya merupakan upaya untuk terus berpikir, mengalami dan membangun budaya yang telah dikembangkan oleh generasi sebelumnya. Untuk itu mengkaji pemikiran filsuf dan ulama yang ahli dibidang pendidikan yang sampai sekarang tetap merupakan kegiatan yang relevan dengan dunia global/modern. Tulisan ini berusaha untuk mengidentifikasi secara konkrit tentang siapa dan bagaimana perumusan pemikiran pendidikan Ikwanus Shafa dan relevansinya terhadap Era global/modern.
Predictive Values of EGFR expression for the Fluoropyrimidine Metronomic Maintenance Therapy in Patients with Stage III Colorectal Cancer after Radical Resection and Adjuvant Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy
Authors: Huang Ching-Wen , Ma Cheng-Jen , Chen Yi-Ting , Tsai Hsiang-Lin , Yeh Yung-Sung , Su Wei-Chih , Chang Tsung-Kun , Hsu Wen-Hung , Yu Fang-Jung , Wang Jaw-Yuan
Published: December 2019

Background: This retrospective study evaluates the survival effects of metronomic maintenance therapy with fluoropyrimidine in patients with stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) according to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. Methods: We enrolled 197 patients with stage III CRC who had undergone radical resection and FOLFOX regimen adjuvant chemotherapy. The clinicopathological features and effects of metronomic maintenance therapy on survival according to treatment group and EGFR expression were analyzed. By conducting an in vitro cell line study and in vivo study through knockdout of EGFR gene, we analyzed the capacities of cell proliferation and migration. Results: Postoperative relapse and mortality were significantly more common in the FOLFOX group. Metronomic maintenance therapy was a significantly independent predictive factor of postoperative relapse and mortality, as well as a prognostic factor of disease-free survival and overall survival. The significant differences of survival between the two groups were only observed in patients with positive EGFR expression. Conclusions: The present study suggested EGFR expression as the prognostic factor in patients with stage III CRC receiving metronomic maintenance therapy. By analyzing EGFR expression, we can identify the potential candidates with optimal survival benefit from metronomic maintenance therapy in patients with stage III CRC.
Is There Moral Hazard in Islamic Rural Bank Financing?
Authors: Oktarina Adelia , Fahmi Idqan , Beik Irfan Syauqi
Published: December 2019

The credit market was identical to asymmetric information in it, both conventional and sharia credit markets. One of the forms of this asymmetric information was moral hazard. This study aimed to identify the existence of moral hazard in credit market (financing) by comparing the customer conditions in islamic rural bank and conventional rural bank. This study also intended to identify the factors influencing the moral hazard. The analysis used was logistic regression method. The result showed that islamic rural bank had a bigger potential to experience moral hazard compared to the conventional customers. Generally, the factors which influence the moral hazard such as age, business conditions, amount of financing, length of financing, and type of bank.
Indicators to Guide and Monitor Climate Change Adaptation in the US Pacific Northwest
Authors: Doubleday Annie , Errett Nicole A. , Ebi Kristie L. , Hess Jeremy J.
Published: December 2019

Objectives. To develop a set of indicators to guide and monitor climate change adaptation in US state and local health departments.

Methods. We performed a narrative review of literature on indicators of climate change adaptation and public health service capacity, mapped the findings onto activities grouped by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Ten Essential Services, and drafted potential indicators to discuss with practitioners. We then refined the indicators after key informant interviews with 17 health department officials in the US Pacific Northwest in fall 2018.

Results. Informants identified a need for clarity regarding state and local public health’s role in climate change adaptation, integration of adaptation into existing programs, and strengthening of communication, partnerships, and response capacity to increase resilience. We propose a set of climate change indicators applicable for state and local health departments.

Conclusions. With additional context-specific refinement, the proposed indicators can aid agencies in tracking adaptation efforts. The generalizability, robustness, and relevance of the proposed indicators should be explored in other settings with a broader set of stakeholders.
Vulnerability of Renters and Low-Income Households to Storm Damage: Evidence From Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico
Authors: Ma Chenyi , Smith Tony
Published: December 2019

Objectives. To identify disparities in home damage from Hurricane Maria among Puerto Rican households with different housing tenure and income levels.

Methods. Using household inspection data obtained by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including an ordinal damage severity measure, we used generalized ordered logistic regression to estimate the relative risks of damage severities between renters and homeowners, and between households with different incomes.

Results. With respect to the FEMA damage-severity classifications of “minor,” “major,” and “destroyed,” renters were more at risk than homeowners for both “major-or-destroyed” and “destroyed” outcomes. Similarly, lower-income households were at greater risk for both “major-or-destroyed” and “destroyed” outcomes. When we allowed for an interaction between income and housing tenure, the difference in risk of “destroyed” outcomes between renters and homeowners was substantially greater at lower income levels.

Conclusions. These results provide evidence at the individual household level that renters and lower-income households are most vulnerable to hurricane damage. Our interaction results suggest that lower-income renters are particularly vulnerable to severe home damage.

Public Health Implications. Disaster preparedness policies should raise structural standards for low-income housing to reduce risks of severe damage.
Synchronous Periprosthetic Joint Infections
Authors: Thiesen Darius M. , Mumin-Gündüz Seval , Gehrke Thorsten , Klaber Ianiv , Salber Jochen , Suero Eduardo , Citak Mustafa
Published: December 2019

Background:

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication with increasing incidence. However, we are not aware of any robust data on patients having PJI at the same time in ≥2 joints that had undergone total joint arthroplasty, referred to as synchronous PJI throughout this article. The aims of this study were to investigate the probability of the development of synchronous PJI of another prosthetic joint and to identify possible clinical risk factors for the development of synchronous PJI. In addition, we aimed to determine whether routine aspiration of all other prosthetic joints was warranted after a diagnosis of PJI in a single joint.

Methods:

A total of 2,532 septic revision procedures were performed during the study period. In the final analysis, 644 patients (26 with synchronous PJI and 618 with non-synchronous PJI) with 1,508 prosthetic joints were included. The mean age (and standard deviation) was 71 ± 9.6 years. Using bivariate analyses, we calculated the odds of synchronous PJI as a function of various demographic and clinical variables.

Results:

A suspicious clinical presentation of the non-primary joint had the strongest association with synchronous PJI (odds ratio [OR], 58.5 [95% confidence interval (CI), 22.4 to 152.8]). Additional associations with synchronous PJI were detected for a history of neoplasia (OR, 12 [95% CI, 3.9 to 37.2]), the use of immune-modulating therapy (OR, 9.5 [95% CI, 3.4 to 26.2]), the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis (OR, 8.4 [95% CI, 2.8 to 25]), and having ≥3 prosthetic joints (OR, 3.0 [95% CI, 1.37 to 6.64]).

Conclusions:

Synchronous PJI is a rare but very serious complication and every prosthetic joint should be investigated meticulously. Suspicious clinical presentation, a history of neoplasia, sepsis, immune-modulating therapy, and ≥3 prosthetic joints were identified as risk factors and should increase the physician’s vigilance. In the case of PJI, aspiration of each joint that had undergone total joint arthroplasty should be considered.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Relación entre el PH salival y la prevalencia de caries dental en escolares de 6 a 12 años de la institución educativa San Gabriel, Villa María del Triunfo, 2017
Authors: Araujo Muro Carlos Alberto
Published: December 2019

Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre el pH salival y la prevalencia de caries dental en escolares de 6 a 12 años de la ciudad de Lima. Metodología: Estudio transversal desarrollado en 129 escolares de la institución educativa San Gabriel, del distrito de Villa María del Triunfo, en 2017. Se obtuvieron las mediciones del pH salival en los pacientes mediante el uso del pH-metro, asistido por tiras de papel y se evaluó la presencia de caries dental mediante el método CPO-D. También se evaluaron las características de sexo y edad de todos los pacientes. La estadística emplea las pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y se trabajó a un nivel de significancia de p < 0,05. Resultados: Se encontró una prevalencia de caries dental del 85,3% en escolares entre los 6 y 12 años. La prevalencia de caries según el género fue del 45,7% en niñas y el 39,5% en varones. No se encontró asociación  estadísticamente significativa entre el género y la prevalencia de caries dental (p = 0,935). El 55% del grupo muestral presentó un pH ácido; el 41,1%, un pH neutro, y el 3,9%, un pH alcalino. Se determinó la existencia de una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre pH salival y caries dental (p< 0,001). Conclusiones: Existe una relación directa entre el pH salival y la prevalencia de caries dental. Se calculó que el 95,8% de los pacientes con un pH salival ácido presentaron caries dental.
Microfiltración en restauraciones parciales indirectas cementadas con cementos resinosos duales autoadhesivos
Authors: Zaga Bendezú Javier Cleto , López-Flores Ana Isabel
Published: December 2019

El objetivo de este estudio es comparar in vitro el grado de microfiltración marginal en incrustaciones de cerámica inyectada realizadas con dos cementos resinosos duales autoadhesivos seT PP (SDI) y RelyX U200 (3M ESPE). Se evaluaron 40 premolares superiores e inferiores extraídos por motivos ortodónticos y se dividieron en dos grupos según cemento asignado (n = 20). Luego, se realizó la preparación de cavidades tipo clase II, de aproximadamente 3 mm de ancho en la caja oclusal y proximal; y 2 mm de espesor en el piso gingival y la pared oclusal. Se restauraron de manera indirecta con restauraciones inyectadas de cerámica IPS e.max Press (Ivoclar Vivadent), se cementaron con los cementos estudiados según las especificaciones del fabricante. Los especímenes fueron guardados en un frasco y llevados a termociclado; luego, se realizaron cortes transversales a las coronas y se evaluó el grado de microfiltración por medio de un estereoscopio. Al comparar la microfiltración entre el cemento seT PP y RelyX U200, se concluyó que no existe una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el grado de microfiltración y el tipo de cemento (prueba de Chi-cuadrado de Pearson; p > 0,05) y al observar el grado de microfiltración del seT PP y el RelyX U200 en la cementación de incrustaciones cerámicas inyectadas IPS e.max Press. En conclusión, no se hallaron diferencias significativas entre los dos cementos resinosos autoadhesivos. En ambos prevaleció la no microfiltración; sin embargo, para seT PP, la microfiltración fue del 17,5% en 1/3 de la pared cervical.
A Probabilistic Approach for Economic Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety Interventions: A Case Study of Silica Exposure Reduction Interventions in the Construction Sector
Authors: Mofidi Amirabbas , Tompa Emile , Mortazavi SeyedBagher , Esfahanipour Akbar , Demers Paul A.
Published: December 2019

Background: Construction workers are at a high risk of exposure to various types of hazardous substances such as crystalline silica. Though multiple studies indicate the evidence regarding the effectiveness of different silica exposure reduction interventions in the construction sector, the decisions for selecting a specific silica exposure reduction intervention are best informed by an economic evaluation. Economic evaluation of interventions is subjected to uncertainties in practice, mostly due to the lack of precise data on important variables. In this study, we aim to identify the most cost-beneficial silica exposure reduction intervention for the construction sector under uncertain situation. Methods: We apply a probabilistic modeling approach that covers a large number of variables relevant to the cost of lung cancer, as well as the costs of silica exposure reduction interventions. To estimate the societal lifetime cost of lung cancer, we use an incidence cost approach. To estimate the net benefit of each intervention, we compare the expected cost of lung cancer cases averted, with expected cost of implementation of the intervention in one calendar year. Sensitivity analysis is used to quantify how different variables effects interventions net benefit. Results: A positive net benefit is expected for all considered interventions. The highest number of lung cancer cases are averted by combined use of wet method, local exhaust ventilation and personal protective equipment, about 107 cases, with expected net benefit of $45.9 million. Results also suggest that the level of exposure is an important determinant for the selection of the most cost-beneficial intervention. Conclusions: This study provides important insights for decision makers about silica exposure reduction interventions in the construction sector. It also provides an overview of the potential advantages of using probabilistic modeling approach to undertake economic evaluations, particularly when researchers are confronted with a large number of uncertain variables.
Serum miRNAs, a potential prognosis marker of loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with CCRT
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Huang jiangbiao , Wang Ge , Jin Feng , Zheng Jijun , Xiao He , Lei Lin , Luo Jia , Chen Chuan
Published: December 2019

Background: Serum miRNA was once found as potential disease survival index,thus we investigated the role of miRNA in predicting prognosis in loco-regionally advanced NPC patients treated with CCRT. Methods: This study included two phases: (i) We enrolled 3 NPC patients with recurrence or distant metastasis (experimental group, EG) and 3 NPC patients in clinical remission (control group, CG),who were treated with CCRT within 5 years.The paired serum was collected before and after treatment and biomarkers were discovered by LNA-TaqMan Human MicroRNA Arrays. (ii) we used the bioinformatic analysis, marker selection and an independent validation by qRT-PCR to analyse the serums of 29 NPC patients with recurrent disease or distant metastasis and 19 NPC patients in clinical remission treated with CCRT. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and Cox regression model to estimate the accuracy of the miRNAs to predict PFS and OS, and identified factors significantly associated with prognosis, respectively. Results: Using fold change≥2.0 or ≤0.5 and p≤0.05 as cutoff levels, we identified 1 up-regulated and 6 down-regulated miRNAs, 1 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated miRNAs in EG versus CG before and after CCRT, respectively. After these down-regulated miRNAs were dealed with bioinformatics analysis and normalization, only 5 different miRNAs were significantly reduced, which there were no significant difference in the expression of miRNA-26b, miRNA-29a and miRNA-125b before CCRT, and the expression of miRNA-143 and miRNA-29b after CCRT in the serum samples of 48 NPC patients. Based on this, we calculated a risk score with the expression of miRNA-26b、miRNA-29a、miRNA-125b、miRNA-29b、miRNA-143 and then classified patients as high or low risk group. Cox regression model suggested that combining miRNA-29a and miRNA-125b before CCRT with miRNA-26b after CCRT was independent prognostic factors for PFS (HR=3.149, 95%CI:1.018-9.115, p=0.034), whereas combining the former two is independent for OS (HR=5.146, 95%CI:1.674-15.817, p=0.04). Conclusions : For loco-regionally advanced NPC patients treated with CCRT, especially high-risk patients- serum miRNAs, such as miRNA-29a, miRNA-125b and miRNA-26b etc., play an important role in predicting prognosis factors of PFS and OS, which will contribute to the strategic direction for future research.
The mutational spectrum of Hunter syndrome reveals correlation between biochemical and clinical profiles in Tunisian patients
Authors: chkioua latifa , Grissa Oussama , Leban Nadia , Gribaa Moez , Boudabous Hela , Turkia Hadhami Ben , Ferchichi Salima , Tebib Neji , Laradi Sandrine
Published: December 2019

Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) or Hunter syndrome is an X-linked recessive lysosomal storage disorder resulting from deficient activity of iduronate 2-sulfatase ( IDS ) and the progressive lysosomal accumulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Methods: A diagnosis of MPS II or Hunter syndrome was performed based on the following approach after a clinical and paraclinical suspicion. Two biochemical and molecular tests were carried out separately and according to the availability of the biological material. Results: All patients in this cohort presented the most common MPS II clinical features. Electrophoresis of GAGs on a cellulose acetate plate in the presence of a high concentration of heparane sulfate showed an abnormal dermatan sulfate band in the patients compared with that in a control case. Furthermore, leukocyte IDS activity ranged from 0.00 to 0.75 nmol/h/mg of leukocyte protein in patients. Five previously reported mutations were identified in the study patients: one splice site mutation, c.240+1G>A; two missense mutations, p.R88P and p.G94D; a large deletion of exon 1 to exon 7; and one nonsense mutation, p.Q396*. In addition, two novel alterations were identified in the MPS II patients: one frame shift mutation, p.D450Nfs*95 and one nonsense mutation, p.Q204*. Additionally, five known IDS polymorphisms were identified in the patients: IVS3-16 (c.419-16 delT), p.T214M (c.641C>T), p.T146T (c.438 C>T), IVS5-87 (c.709-87G>A), and IVS7+38 (c.1006+38T>C). Conclusions: The high level of urine GAGs and the deficiency of iduronate 2-sulfatase activity was associated with the phenotype expression of Hunter syndrome. Molecular testing was useful for the patients’ phenotypic classification and the detection of carriers.
The effect of initial lens diopter on myopia control by orthokeratology in Teenagers A retrospective Beijing Study
Authors: Yu Jifeng , Shi Wei , Liu Xue , Li Si-Yuan , Li Li
Published: December 2019

Background To investigate the effect of initial refractive error on the control of myopia by orthokeratology. Methods Retrospective study. Data were analyzed from 78 patients (156 eyes) who underwent orthokeratology in Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2014 to April 2018. The changes of axial length and diopter after wearing the lenses were measured. Patients were divided into six groups according to refractive error: <-1.00D, -1.00~ -2.00D, -2.00D~ -3.00D, -3.00D~ -4.00D, -4.00D~ -5.00D and -5.00~ -6.00D. A mixed-effect model was used to analyze the relevant data. At the same time, the interaction item between diopter and wearing time ( the first time when children wear orthokeratology lens) was analyzed, and the influence of gender was corrected. Results Patients averaged 12.9±2.161 years old. Two years after wearing orthokeratology lenses, there was a statistically significant difference with the interaction item between refractive error and wearing time in each group. The estimated values ​​were 0.0631 for the right eye and 0.053 for the left eye. Orthokeratology lenses controlled the progression of myopia well, but the reduction depended on the initial diopters. Binocular axial length examination didn’t show statistically significant difference with the interaction item. Axial length increased with time, and the magnitude of increase did not differ among groups. However, the increase in the axial length of the male more than that of the female. Conclusion Initial refractive errors have a significant impact on the control of myopia by orthokeratology. The less severe myopia patient demonstrated a more pronounced benefits after wearing orthokeratology lenses.
Finite element analysis of the effect of tibial prosthesis extension stem length in total knee arthroplasty in the Chinese population
Authors: Li Yeran , Gao Yuhang , Ding Lu , Yang Chen , Wang Jinlong , Zhang Xuebo , Liu Jianguo , Qi Xin
Published: December 2019

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine the longest usable range of tibial prosthesis extension stems in Chinese patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty and to analyze the effect of different stem lengths on prosthesis stability within this range.MethodsWe conducted three-dimensional modeling and simulated surgery in patients with genu varum to measure the longest usable range of tibial prothesis stems, identify impinged cortices under tibial posterior slope cut of 0° and 3°, and analyze factors influencing the longest stem length. We built finite element models according to the longest usable range of extension stems to simulate tibial prostheses with different stem lengths, measure the stress distribution of tibias and prostheses and the relative displacement of distal ends of prostheses, and investigate the effect of different stem extension lengths on prosthesis stability.ResultsWe simulated osteotomy with a tibial posterior slope cut of 0° and 3°, under which the maximum tibial prosthesis stem length was 83 mm (79±24 mm). The simulated tibial cut with a tibial posterior slope of 3° indicated the maximum tibial prosthesis stem length to be 83 mm (83±20 mm). According to the longest usable range of extension stems, we defined five groups for finite element analysis with 40-mm, 50-mm, 60-mm, 70-mm, and 80-mm stem lengths and analyzed each group for posterior slopes of 0° and 3°. The 80-mm stem length models showed minimum relative displacement of the distal end of tibial prosthesis (0°: 2.63, 1.61±0.05 µm; 3°: 1.48, 1.44±0.09 µm), whereas the 40-mm stem length models showed maximum relative displacement (0°: 3.16, 3.19±0.12 µm; 3°: 1.84, 1.81±0.07 µm). As the length of tibial prosthesis stems increased from 40 to 70 mm, the relative displacement of the distal end of prosthesis decreased for both posterior slopes but was insignificant when stem lengths increased to 70–80 mm.ConclusionsBased on the results, we suggest that using the longest tibial stem is not always necessarily a better option to increase stability, as the prosthesis shows greater stability in only a specific range of increased length but shows insignificant change when the length is greatly increased.
High particulate matter burden by cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates and Germany: Are there country-specific differences?
Authors: Braun Markus , Al-Qaysi Rawya , Klingelhöfer Doris , Zulauf Nicole , Müller Ruth , Groneberg David A.
Published: December 2019

BackgroundAlthough the big tobacco companies offer the same cigarette brands across countries, little is known about regional differences of particulate matter (PM) emissions of apparently equal brands. PM emissions of three cigarette brands (Marlboro, Winston, Parliament) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Germany were analysed. Second-hand smoke was produced in a 2.88m³ measuring cabin by an automatic environmental tobacco smoke emitter. PM size fractions PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 were detected in real time using laser aerosol spectrometry. ResultsDepending on the PM fraction Marlboro and Winston cigarettes from UAE showed 28-35% higher PM amounts than the German counterparts. The “lighter” Parliament from UAE emitted 3-9% more PM than the German one. The measured PM2.5 values laid between 777 µg/m³ and 1161 µg/m³. ConclusionPM emission of equal or similar tobacco products from different countries can differ distinctly. Hence, the declaration of PM emission values, beside nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide amounts, should be obligate worldwide. Furthermore, complete information about ingredients and production design of tobacco products should be provided to health officials and public. This can help to minimise or ban substances or production designs that make smoking even more harmful, and to enhance the awareness to risks of smoking.
The bias generated by sequencing platforms in analyzing of maternal-neonate gut microbiota profiles and diversity
Authors: Wei Jie , Cheng Yue , Cao Xin , Tuo Xiaohong , Jiang Kaichong , Lv Jia , Monisayo Adediji Omolade , Han Bei
Published: December 2019

Background: Microbiome is an important internal ecosystem closely related to host health. Most of the bacteria existed in the internal ecosystem cannot be isolated with laboratory bacteriological culture methods, while 16S rDNA sequencing is considered and used for the bacterial identification by through the high-throughput platforms. The aim of this study was to compare the microbiota analysis result using two next-generation sequencing platforms and bioinformatics pipelines. Results: 56 maternal-neonate fecal samples were sequenced and analyzed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing both by Ion Torrent S5-xl and Illumina Hiseq 2500 with standard protocols at same lab. For the richness and diversity of microbiota, index of chao1, observed_specise, PD_whole_tree, simpson and good_converage varied significantly except Shannon index at two platforms (P<0.05). The relative abundance of bacteria at different taxonomy levels is checked from phylum to species level, the more species of bacteria sequenced and annotated, the lower the correlation of the relative abundance of the bacteria founded between two platforms. The sequencing results are consistent between two platforms. Principal component analysis (PCA) results showed that more than 87% of samples were concentrated. According to principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), 56 samples of the two platforms were divided into two clusters, and the compliance rate of the two platforms is 71.43%. The differences between microbial community structures generated from two platforms were tested by multi-response permutation procedure (MRPP), which showed significant differences at family and genus levels separately (A=0.094, P=0.001; A=0.085, P=0.002). When maternal and neonate samples were considered, at family level, there was no difference in microbiota composition between two platform for maternal group (A=0.006, P=0.149), while in the neonate group, it showed significant differences (A=0.035, P=0.006). At the genus level, there existed significant differences in microbiota both in maternal and neonate group (A=0.0216, P=0.004; A=0.098, P=0.001). Conclusion: Although the relative abundance of microbiota sequenced at two different platforms is basically similar, the diversity and correlation coefficient are still quite different. To increase reproducibility and reliability in cohort studies, it is important to use the same sequencing platforms and the corresponding pipeline to reduce the systematic error in microbiome analysis.
Recurrent Synovitis of Hip and MEFV Gene Related Arthritis in Children
Authors: Salehzadeh Farhad , Mirzarahimi Mehrdad
Published: December 2019

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive inherited auto inflammatory disorder. Arthritis is the presenting finding of FMF in some patients, and sometimes it remains as the major manifestation of the disorder. This study reports three non-FMF patients with heterozygous MEFV gene mutations and an extraordinary arthritis as a recurrent synovitis of hip (RSH) Methods: During 16-years from 2003 to 2019 at pediatric rheumatologic clinic among 195 recorded files, 3 patients with diagnosis of recurrent synovitis of hip (RSH) were reviewed thoroughly. Peripheral blood was collected from patients and the samples were screened for the 12 common MEFV gene pathogenic variants. Results: This study included three patients, two female and one male with relapsing arthritis that has been located on hip joints as a sole manifestation and pathologic findings of MEFV mutations as follow: A744S, V726A, and R761H. Conclusion: On the basis of possible role of MEFV gene in different rheumatic disease RSH could be considered as a MEFV gene related arthritis. Key words: FMF, MEFV gene, Recurrent synovitis of hip in children
Cardiovascular diagnostic information about blood pressure, arterial stiffness and atrial fibrillation is contained in oscillometric blood pressure profiles and is extractable by mathematical analysis
Authors: Hullender David Allan , Brown Olen R.
Published: December 2019

Background: Oscillometric measurement of blood pressure is generally accepted as convenient and reasonable for home monitoring and increasingly is being used in the hospital setting. Oscillometric devices use a wrist or (less frequently) an upper arm cuff with an automated inflation/deflation cycle, a pressure sensor and microprocessor programmed with proprietary algorithms to produce values for heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. There is reason for concern, however, about accuracy which decreases with pathology such as atrial fibrillation and arterial stiffness. Methods: Useful information is extractable from the pressure oscillations in the cuff generated by the blood flow as affected by the frequency and strength of the heart beat and interaction of the blood with the artery walls including changes produced by atherosclerosis. A mathematical model and nonlinear estimation algorithm are used to identify the blood pressure waveform and the stiffness properties of the artery walls in order to generate improved reliability for quantifying systolic and diastolic pressures and to detect and quantify arterial stiffness and atrial fibrillation. The mathematical model is based on previously tested and documented formulations for artery and cuff compliance; specifically, a differential equation with 15 unknown constants is formulated to describe an actual blood pressure waveform and the stiffness properties of an artery. Results: Simulation results demonstrate that a nonlinear estimation algorithm can use measured cuff pressure oscillations to accurately estimate and identify a hypothetical blood pressure waveform including cases with a variable heart rate rhythm and changing systolic and diastolic pressure levels. In addition, useful diagnostic information about arterial stiffness is present in the oscillations and was successfully quantified. Conclusions: Application of mathematical analysis to the blood pressure oscillometric model generated reliable information about the effects of irregularities in heart rate, including atrial fibrillation, and arterial stiffness on systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. There are applications for blood pressure monitors designed for home use and for professional, diagnostic screening.
Diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophybased on convolutional neural network
Authors: Jian Zini , Wang Xianpei , Zhang Jingzhe , Wang Xinyu , Deng Youbin
Published: December 2019

Background: Clinically, doctors obtain the left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT) mainly by observing ultrasonic echocardiographic video stream to capture a single frame of images with diagnostic significance, and then mark two key points on both sides of the posterior wall of the left ventricle with their own experience for computer measurement. In the actual measurement, the doctor's selection point is subjective, which is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also difficult to accurately locate the edge, which will bring errors to the measurement results. Methods: In this paper, a convolutional neural network model of left ventricular posterior wall positioning was built under the TensorFlow framework, and the target region images were obtained after the positioning results were processed by non-local mean filtering and opening operation. Then the edge detection algorithm based on threshold segmentation is used. After the contour was extracted by adjusting the segmentation threshold through prior analysis and the OTSU algorithm, the design algorithm completed the computer selection point measurement of the thickness of the posterior wall of the left ventricle. Results: The proposed method can effectively extract the left ventricular posterior wall contour and measure its thickness. The experimental results show that the relative error between the measurement result and the hospital measurement value is less than 15%, which is less than 20% of the acceptable repeatability error in clinical practice. Conclusions: Therefore, the method proposed in this paper not only has the advantage of less manual intervention, but also can reduce the workload of doctors.
Pattern of Genetic Diversity of Feral domestic cat populations in Lamu, Kenya and Iran suggest possible influence of historical trade between Persian Gulf and East African Coast
Authors: Adeola Adeniyi Charles , Agwanda Bernard R , Nanaei Hojjat Asadollahpour , Wu Yajiang , Liu Yan-Hu , Bita Caesar , Lichoti Jacqueline , Ommeh Sheila C , Charati Hadi , Peng Min-Sheng , Zhao Ruo-Han , Esmailizadeh Ali , Zhang Ya-Ping
Published: December 2019

Background: During Early Indian Ocean trade, many species of animals were transported along the routes and destinations especially in eastern Africa. The influence of this historical trade on genetic relationships of historically popular pets such as domestic cats, in East African Coast and Persian Gulf has never been evaluated. Herein, we analyzed variation in mitochondrial DNA sequences from one African wildcat together with 59 feral and domestic cats from East African coastal-Lamu (EAC-Lamu) (n=41) and Iran (n=18) to evaluate possibility of exchange of these animals during the historical trade. Results: From this analysis, all ND5 & ND6 sequences of EAC-Lamu and Iranian cats can be assigned into one haplogroup. The haplotype sharing pattern between these two regions is detected in the network. The whole genome analyses reveal cats from EAC-Lamu and Iran cluster into one branch whereas other cat breeds cluster separately into other branches. The demographic history inference further confirms the relationship between EAC-Lamu and Iranian indigenous cats split around 2,800 years ago, followed by gene flow as a result of human activities.Conclusions: Our results unveil the diversity and existing relationship between indigenous cats from Iran and EAC-Lamu due to historical trade. The current data do not permit us to make further conclusions; therefore, more research evidence from genetics and archaeology may provide further insights into the direction of genetic influence of this historical trade.
Construction of a ceRNA network combining transcription factors in eutopic endometrial tissue of tubal factor infertility and endometriosis-related infertility
Authors: Li Junzui , Ren Lulu , Yang Cui , Wu Rongfeng , Huang Zhixiong , Chen Qionghua
Published: December 2019

Purpose Although tubal factor infertility (TFI) and endometriosis-related infertility all can result in female infertility, the pathogenesis of TFI and endometriosis-related infertility were different. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of TFI and endometriosis-related infertility have not been investigated thoroughly. Thus, the aim of the study is to identify the potential crucial genes, pathways, transcription factors (TFs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with TFI and endometriosis-related infertility, and further analyze the molecular mechanism implicated in genes.Methods 3 patients with TFI and 3 patients with endometriosis-related infertility were recruited, and microarray hybridization of the eutopic endometrial tissue during the window of implantation (WOI) was performed to examine the expression of mRNAs and lncRNAs. First, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were screened out based on P < 0.05 and fold change (FC) ≧ 2. Second, gene ontology, pathway and TFs enrichment analyses and PPI network construction of DEGs were performed. Then, important modules and Hub genes of PPI network were further analysed and a ceRNA network combining TFs based on DEGs and DELs was constructed. Finally, we selected the lapping genes of the important modules, Hub genes and the ceRNA network as potential key genes associated with TFI and endometriosis-related infertility and constructed a new ceRNA network on the base of potential key genes.Results 508 DEGs and 576 DELs were screened out. The gene ontology and pathway of DEGs were mainly enriched in transmembrane transporter activity and the immune system (eg, passive transmembrane transporter activity, Intestinal immune network for IgA production and so on). In addition, a ceRNA network (based on potential key genes) combining TFs including 2 mRNAs (PLAU and LDLR), 5 miRNAs (hsa-miR-301b-3p, hsa-miR-27a-3p, hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-193a-3p and hsa-miR-17-5p), 8 lncRNAs (eg. LMO7-AS1, ITFG3 and MGST1, etc.) and 10 TFs (eg. SRF, FOX, which target to mRNA and eg. POU3F2, HNF1A, which target to miRNA) was successfully built.Conclusions In conclusion, pathophysiologic mechanisms of TFI and endometriosis related infertility may be related to the transmembrane transporter activity and the immune system. These potential key RNAs and TFs might have clinical utility for the diagnosis and prognosis prediction in TFI and endometriosis-related infertility. The results of the current study might lay the foundation for future basic and clinical research.
Integrated bioinformatics analysis of apolipoprotein M in thyroid cancer
Authors: wei jiang , Yu Yang , Zhang Jun. , Xu Ning , Luo Guanghua
Published: December 2019

Background Throid cancer is one of the most common cancer worldwide and its mechanism of development remains elusive.Apolipoprotein M (ApoM) is associated with lipid metabolism, inflammation and atherosclerosis, but the prognostic value of apoM in thyroid cancer has not been well studied.Methods In this study, transcriptional expression, survival, gene ontology and networks of apoM in patients with thyroid cancer were analyzed using integrated bioinformatics tools including UALCAN, GEO, LinkedOmics, GeneMANIA, STRING, CircNET and KOBAS.Results Results indicated that ApoM is decreased in thyroid cancer tissues and is therefore negatively associated with malignant clinicopathological parameters. However, Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that ApoM expression is not an independent and significant prognostic factor for overall survival in thyroid cancer. LinkedOmicsConclusions These results indicate that integrated bioinformatics analysis provide valuable information on apoM expression and potential regulatory networks in thyroid cancer. This information will be crucial in understanding the role of apoM in thyroid carcinogenesis.
Microwave assisted the short time clean synthesis of 1,3-Diketones as Building Blocks in Heterocyclic Synthesis: A Facile Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of New Dihydropyridine, 4H-Pyrane, Dihydropyridazine, Pyrimidine and Pyrazole derivatives
Authors: abdelreheim mohamed ahmed , Hafiz Ibrahim Saad Abdel , Rady Hend Saad Eldin Abdel
Published: December 2019

Background: According to literature survey, the compounds bearing naphthalene moiety can be used as medical preparations because of their wide spectrum of biological activity and low toxicity. In this study, a new series of azoles or azines were synthesized from the reaction of the key intermediate 1-(1-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)-3-phenylpropane-1,3-dione 3 with a variety of electrophilic and nucleophilic reagents under a variety of mild conditions. Results: The chemical structures of these compounds were confirmed by various spectroscopic methods such as (IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, mass spectral data and elemental analyses). Conclusions: The prepared compounds were screened in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against some species of Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeuroginosa). Anti-fungal activities of the compounds were tested against yeast and mycelial fungi,Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus. The antimicrobial activity of this series was showed either weak or moderate activities.
Quantitative Toxicity Prediction via Ensembling of Heterogeneous Predictors
Authors: Karim Abdul , Riahi Vahid , Mishra Avinash , Dehzangi Abdollah , Newton M. A. Hakim , Sattar Abdul
Published: December 2019

Representing molecules in the form of only one type of features and using those features to predict their activities is one of the most important approaches for machine-learning-based chemical-activity-prediction. For molecular activities like quantitative toxicity prediction, the performance depends on the type of features extracted and the machine learning approach used. For such cases, using one type of features and machine learning model restricts the prediction performance to specific representation and model used. In this paper, we study quantitative toxicity prediction and propose a machine learning model for the same. Our model uses an ensemble of heterogeneous predictors instead of typically using homogeneous predictors. The predictors that we use vary either on the type of features used or on the deep learning architecture employed. Each of these predictors presumably has its own strengths and weaknesses in terms of toxicity prediction. Our motivation is to make a combined model that utilizes different types of features and architectures to obtain better collective performance that could go beyond the performance of each individual predictor. We use six predictors in our model and test the model on four standard quantitative toxicity benchmark datasets. Experimental results show that our model outperforms the state-of-the-art toxicity prediction models in 8 out of 12 accuracy measures. Our experiments show that ensembling heterogeneous predictor improves the performance over single predictors and homogeneous ensembling of single predictors.The results show that each data representation or deep learning based predictor has its own strengths and weaknesses, thus employing a model ensembling multiple heterogeneous predictors could go beyond individual performance of each data representation or each predictor type.
The United States influence in Iraq’s post-Saddam reconfiguration of power:
Authors: Duarte Amaral Rodrigo Augusto
Published: December 2019

In 2003, the United States of America started a reconfiguration process of Iraq’s political-economic structure. After the overthrown of Saddam Hussein, the United Nation Security Council stated that an international coalition should act in Iraq as a Provisional Authority which was led by the USA, whose responsibility was to rebuilding Iraq (Resolution 1483). For 14 months, the USA formally governed and reformed Iraq’s structure, declaring that its objective was to develop a “new Iraq”. The 2005 constitution marked the consolidation of this new political regime, transforming Iraq in a federal and democratic country as aimed by the USA agenda. But how this new framework of statebuilding worked out for Iraq? Despite the effort, almost fifteen years after the USA formal occupation, Iraq remained politically unstable. The maintenance of insurgent groups against international interference, the rise of Islamic State, the resumption of Iraq Kurdistan interest for independence are some examples of today’s political crisis in Iraq. This paper aims to present how USA executed the reformulation of Iraqi political structure since 2003: changing the political regime, prohibiting any Baath affiliation and action in Iraq’s political theater, and articulating the rise of political partiesthat historically opposed Baath’s government.
O agronegócio brasileiro e as negociações Mercosul-União Europeia
Authors: Rodrigues Marques da Silva Roberta , Dias da Silva Ricardo , Ramos Ferreira Fernanda
Published: December 2019

Este artigo objetiva analisar as negociações entre Mercosul e União Europeia, especialmente no que diz respeito à posição brasileira nas tratativas conduzidas durante os governos Dilma Rousseff e Michel Temer, enfatizando a coordenação do agronegócio em torno da agenda de discussão. Observamos que as negociações entre os dois blocos permaneceram como prioridade da política externa brasileira, a despeito das diferenças programáticas fundamentais entre os dois governos. Para explicar a permanência das negociações, além do impasse em torno do fechamento do acordo, argumentamos que a mudança estrutural na economia brasileira, marcada pela desindustrialização progressiva e pela reprimarizaçãoda pauta exportadora, lado a lado à maior capacidade de coordenação da ação coletiva do agronegócio, produziram impactos na formatação dos interesses brasileiros durante as negociações. Buscamos trazer evidências para corroborar nossa hipótese, analisando as tratativas no período recente. Observamos que itens caros à indústria foram flexibilizados, ao passo que foi mantida a defesa de maior acesso aos mercados agropecuários europeus, item considerado inegociável pela UE.
Constant darkness conditions modulate the effects of melatonin and luzindole on the antioxidant enzyme activities and levels of retinol and α-tocopherol in rats
Authors: Kalinina Svetlana , Ilyukha Viktor , Khizhkin Evgeniy , Baishnikova Irina , Antonova Ekaterina , Morozov Artem
Published: December 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of both exogenous melatonin and melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole on the activities of antioxidant enzymes (AOE) (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT) and the level of low-molecular antioxidant vitamins (retinol, α-tocopherol) in male Wistar rats kept in normal light conditions (LD 12:12) or constant darkness (DD). In LD, while melatonin had no influence on the studied antioxidants, luzindole caused an increase in retinol and a decrease in α-tocopherol contents in the liver compared to the control. In DD, with no influence on AOE activities, both drugs exerted similar effects on the liver retinol and kidney α-tocopherol contents, increasing them in comparison with control. Exposing the animals to DD induced an increase in kidney SOD activity and in liver retinol content. Moreover, DD-mel rats had higher SOD activity in the liver and kidney and a higher retinol level in the liver compared to LD-mel ones; DD-luz rats had a higher liver retinol content compared to LD-luz ones. Liver retinol level seems to be the most sensitive to influence of DD, melatonin and luzindole; the data are probably connected with the involvement of vitamin A in the regulation of circadian rhythms.