bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modified silicone stent for the treatment of post-surgical bronchopleural fistula: A clinical observation of 17 cases
Authors: Zeng Junli , Wu Xuemei , Chen Zhide , Zhang Meihua , Ke Mingyao
Published: November 2020

Background: Bronchopleural fistula is a rare but life-threatening event with limited therapeutic options. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the modified silicone stent in patients with post-surgical bronchopleural fistula.Methods: Between March 2016 and April 2020, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 17 patients with bronchopleural fistula and who underwent bronchoscopic placement of the Y-shaped silicone stent. The rate of initial success, clinical success and clinical cure, and complications were analyzed. Results: Stent placement was successful in 16 patients in the first attempt (initial success rate: 94.1%). The median follow-up time was 107 (range, 5-431) days. All patients achieved amelioration of respiratory symptoms. The clinical success rate was 76.5%. Of the 14 patients with empyema, the daily drainage was progressively decreased in 11 patients, and empyema completely disappeared in six patients. Seven stents were removed during follow-up: four (26.7%) for the cure of fistula, two for severe proliferation of granulomatous tissue and one for stent dislocation. No severe adverse events (i.e. massive hemoptysis, suture dehiscence) took place. Seven patients died (due to progression of malignancy, uncontrolled infection, myocardial infarction and left heart failure).Conclusions: The modified silicone stent may be an effective and safe option for patients with post-surgical bronchopleural fistula patients in whom conventional therapy is contraindicated.
Polymorphisms of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 in Chinese women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Xu Yinglei , Wei Chunlian , Wu Cuijiao , Han Mengmeng , Wang Jingli , Hou Huabin , Zhang Lu , Liu Shiguo , Chen Ying
Published: November 2020

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy-specific carbohydrate intolerance Which can cause a large number of perinatal and postpartum complications. The members of Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily play key roles in the homeostasis of pancreatic β-cell and may involve in the development of GDM. This study aimed to explore the association between the polymorphisms of TGF-β1, TGF-β3 and the risk to GDM in Chinese women.Methods: This study included 919 GDM patients (464 with preeclampsia and 455 without preeclampsia) and 1177 healthy pregnant women. TaqMan allelic discrimination real-Time PCR was used to genotype the TGF-β1 (rs4803455) and TGF-β3 (rs2284792 and rs3917201), The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was evaluated by chi-square test.Results: An increased frequency of TGF-β3 rs2284792 AA and AG genotype carriers was founded in GDM patients (AA vs. AG+GG: χ²=6.314, P=0.012, OR=1.270, 95%CI 1.054-1.530; AG vs. GG+AA: χ²=8.545, P=0.003, OR=0.773, 95%CI 0.650-0.919). But there were no significant differences in the distribution of TGF-β1 rs4803455 and TGF-β3 rs3917201 between GDM and healthy women. In addition, no significant differences were found in allele and genotype frequencies among GDM patients with preeclampsia (PE).Conclusions: The AA and AG genotype of TGF-β3 rs2284792 polymorphism may be significantly associated with increased risk of GDM in Chinese population.
ASD Toddlers Exhibit Impaired Development of Neural Systems That Respond to and Guide Mother-Child Interactions
Authors: Xiao Yaqiong , Wen Teresa , Kupis Lauren , Eyler Lisa , Goel Disha , Lombardo Michael , Pierce Karen , Courchesne Eric
Published: November 2020

Motherese is an experience-expectant, human-specific and innate form of parent speech that enhances social and language learning, and affect and emotion development in infants. An early sign of ASD is the child’s lack of responding to motherese and reduced social mother-child interactions. To learn why, we devised a novel experiment quantifying (a) neural responses to motherese and other emotion speech with sleep fMRI and (b) active behavioral preference for motherese with eye tracking in ASD and TD toddlers. We combined the power of diverse neural and clinical data types using Similarity Network Fusion to reveal four neural-clinical clusters. The ASD cluster with the weakest neural responses to motherese and the poorest social and language abilities had the lowest eye tracking attention to motherese, while the TD cluster with the strongest neural response to motherese showed the opposite effects. We conclude that the ASD child’s impairment in engaging in social mother-child interactions is due to impaired development of innate neural systems that normally respond to and guide behavior that maintains mother-child interactions.
Transcapillary Escape Rate of 125I-albumin in Relation to Timing of Blood Sampling: The Need for Standardization.
Authors: Chahid Youssef , Rorije Nienke , Boujoufi Soufian el , Mathot Ron , Vogt Liffert , Verberne Hein
Published: November 2020

BackgroundIncreased vascular permeability is an early sign of vascular damage and can be measured with the transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TERalb). Although TERalb has a multi-exponential kinetic model, most published TERalb data are based on mono-exponential kinetic models with variation in blood sampling schemes. Aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of variation in blood sampling schemes and the impact of mono- or bi-exponential analyses on the calculation of TERalb. Study subjects were part of a cross-over intervention study protocol, investigating effects of sodium loading on blood pressure, endothelial surface layer and microcirculation. Multiple blood samples were drawn between 3 and 60 minutes after injection of radioactive iodide labeled human serum albumin (rHSA). ResultsIn total 27 male subjects were included. For all subjects the maximum serum radioactivity was reached within 20 minutes, while 86% of the subjects had their maximum serum activity within 10 min. The TERalb calculated with the subsequently chosen T20 – 60 min reference scheme (5.97 ± 0.39%/h) was significantly lower compared to the TERalb of the T3 – 60 min, T5 – 60 min, T10 – 60 min, and Tmax – 60 min schemes. There was no significant difference between the T20 – 60 min reference scheme and the T15 – 60 min scheme. Bi-exponential kinetic modeling did not result in significant different observations compared to the mono-exponential kinetic analysis.ConclusionsAs there is variation in the timing of the maximum serum radioactivity of rHSA, blood sampling schemes starting before 15-20 minutes after administration of rHSA will result in a significant overestimation of TERalb. In addition, variation in kinetic modeling did not result in significant changes in TERalb. Therefore, we emphasize the need to standardize TERalb and for practical and logistical reasons advocate the use of a mono-exponential model with blood sampling starting 20 minutes after rHSA administration.
In silico Evaluation of Cucurbit[6]uril as a Potential Detector for Cocaine and Its Adulterants Lidocaine, Caffeine, and Procaine
Authors: Rodrigues Caio , Hernández-González Jorge , Pedrina Natalia , Leite Vitor , Bruni Aline
Published: November 2020

Illicit drugs and their trafficking require worldwide efforts in investigation, detection, and control. Colorimetric tests are often applied to identify drugs. Cocaine has some well-known adulterants that can provide a false positive response. Cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) has been suggested as a potential detector for cocaine and other illicit drugs. This work uses in silico methods to evaluate the use of CB[6] to detect cocaine and these interfering substances. More specifically, this work analyzes different possibilities of CB[6] complexation with cocaine, lidocaine, caffeine, and procaine and compares the results achieved for cocaine and its adulterants. Different methodologies were employed: quantum chemistry was investigated through DFT B3LYP/TZVP (density functional theory-Becke, three-parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr with triple zeta valence plus polarization basis set) and the semi-empirical methods Austin model 1 (AM1), parametric methods 3, 6, and 7 (PM3, PM6, PM7), and Recife model 1 (RM1). We used these methodologies intending to compare the reasonability and reproducibility of the results in the gas phase condition. Solvent influence was studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results showed that CB[6] does not bind to these substances, as judged from the positive values of binding free energy obtained with all methods. DFT and MD were the most reliable methods whereas semiempirical ones were not reproductible in describing these systems. Results also showed that interactions are not specific, so CB[6] does not provide a good response for cocaine detection.
Analysis of the phase structure of fluid vibrations with floating longitudinally compressed elastic plate in nonlinear interaction of the surface progressive waves
Authors:   Marine Hydrophysical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Bukatov Anton A.
Published: November 2020

Based on the asymptotic expansions obtained by the multi-scale method up to the third order of smallness for the potential velocity of liquid particles and the plate-fluid surface elevation, the dispersion properties of the vibrations generated by the interaction of progressive surface wave harmonics of finite amplitude are analyzed in the article. The effect of nonlinearity of acceleration of vertical displacements of an elastic plate on the dispersion characteristics of wave disturbances is studied. The dependence of the vibration frequency is estimated by taking into account the nonlinearity of the first and second approximations values, the plate thickness, and the longitudinal compressive force. It is shown that the sign of the amplitude of the second interacting harmonic and the nonlinearity of the acceleration of vertical displacements of the longitudinally compressed elastic plate affect the vibration phase. It was found that with a decrease in the wavelength of the initial harmonic, the influence of the plate’s nonlinearity vertical acceleration is enhanced. The presence of compressive force is manifested in a decrease in the frequency of vibrations of the wave disturbance in comparison with the frequency obtained in the absence of longitudinal compression, both with a positive and negative sign of the second interacting harmonic amplitude.
Process control issues of fine grinding in a planetary mill
Authors:   L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Atanov Sabirzhan K. , Bigalieva Al’fia Z. ,   L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University,   Karaganda Technical University, Apachidy Nikolay K. ,   Karaganda Technical University, Rusak Alena V. ,   St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics
Published: November 2020

The article is devoted to the study of controlled grinding processes in a planetary mill. The possibility of continuous monitoring of the fineness of grinding by using the laws of automatic control, synthesized on the basis of the optimization approach, is considered. A mathematical model of the control object in the linear stationary approximation is formed. The dynamics of the obtained model is compared with data from field experiments according to the main quality criteria of dynamic processes. For this model, a linear-quadratic controller is synthesized, which is a combination of a Kalman filter that generates an optimal RMS estimate of the object’s state vector with a linear-quadratic optimal state controller. The article provides details of the implementation of the adopted approach and presents the results of modeling dynamic processes for the considered closed-loop control system.
Transforming growth factor beta 1. Biological role and clinical significance
Authors:   First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after Academician I. P. Pavlov, Mosunova Olga , Dementyeva Elena ,   St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
Published: November 2020

One of the most important representatives of the cytokine family is the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1). The purpose of the review is to study the biological role and clinical significance of TGF beta 1. Using PubMed databases, eLIBRARY, Google Scholar, keywords “cytokines”, “TGF beta 1” found 25,518 sources, 50 selected for analysis. TGF beta 1 is a polyvalent cytokine first isolated from platelets in the 1990s.TGF beta 1 belongs to the family of dimeric polypeptides with a molecular weight of 25 kDa. The gene encoding TGF beta 1 is found in humans on chromosome 19. TGF beta 1 has a pleiotropic effect on the proliferation and differentiation of a wide range of cells, and therefore regulates many physiologic and pathophysiologic processes: immune response, apoptosis, fibrogenesis, and carcinogenesis. TGF beta 1 has an effect on almost all organs and tissues. TGF beta 1 is a key marker that can be used in the diagnosis of a number of diseases. It is necessary to further study the role of TGF beta 1 in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of various diseases, as well as in the development of approaches to targeted therapy.
Vitamin D/VDR in Acute Kidney Injury: A Potential Therapeutic Target
Authors: Jiang Siqing , Huang Lihua , Zhang Wei , Zhang Hao
Published: November 2020

Despite many strategies and parameters used in clinical practice, the incidence
and mortality of acute kidney injury (AKI) are still high with poor prognosis. With the development
of molecular biology, the role of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in
AKI is drawing increasing attention. Accumulated researches have suggested that Vitamin
D deficiency is a risk factor of both clinical and experimental AKI, and vitamin D/VDR
could be a promising therapeutic target against AKI. However, more qualitative clinical
researches are needed to provide stronger evidence for the clinical application of vitamin
D and VDR agonists in the future. Issues like the route and dosage of administration
also await more attention. The present review aims to summarize the current works on
the role of vitamin D/VDR in AKI and provides some new insight on its therapeutic potential.
Exosome-Mediated Drug Delivery for Cell-Free Therapy of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Duan Li , Xu Xiao , Xu Limei , Chen Hongfei , Li Xingfu , Alahdal Murad , Xiao Yin , Liang Yujie , Xia Jiang
Published: November 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of cartilage and bones, which results
in severely compromised quality of life in the aged population. However, currently,
no ideal treatment strategies have been developed to prevent OA progression. Cell therapies,
such as chondrocyte and MSC transplantation, have been extensively tested and
evaluated in clinical trials. Yet, to day, the clinical efficacy of articular injection of stem
cells in OA has not been convincingly demonstrated. Recent studies have indicated that
exosomes, one type of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) play an important regulatory role in
the pathogenesis of OA, suggesting the prospective therapeutic application of exosomes
in OA treatment. In this review, we systematically summarized the paracrine effects of
exosomes derived from MSCs and chondrocytes on cartilage regeneration, the use of exosomes
as a delivery vehicle for OA treatment, the effectiveness of such treatments in OA
animal models, and the future perspective of exosome-mediated drug delivery as a cell-
free therapy of OA.
Drug Design of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Importance of In Silico Methods
Authors: Sharma Smriti , Bhatia Vinayak
Published: November 2020

Drug design based on degradation-resistant, long-acting Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R)
agonists for treating type 2 diabetes is attracting a lot of attention. Here, the authors have examined in detail
how in silico drug design is aiding in developing novel GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs. Their pharmacotherapy
and adverse effects have also been summarized. After the analysis of currently available information on this
topic, the authors feel that in silico method is a great auxiliary tool in almost all the experimental studies on
GLP-1 receptors and is highly efficient in identifying novel drug molecules that can act as GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Stojković Mirjana , Žarković Miloš
Published: November 2020

The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is 3-10%. The prevalence of subclinical hyperthyroidism
(SHr) is 0.7-9.7%. Thyroid hormones affect cardiac electrophysiology, contractility, and vasculature.
SH is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), especially in subjects under 65.
SHr seems to be associated with a slightly increased risk of CHD and an increase in CHD-related mortality.
Both SH and SHr carry an increased risk of developing heart failure (HF), especially in those under 65. Both
SH and SHr are associated with worse prognoses in patients with existing HF. SH is probably not associated
with atrial fibrillation (AF). SHr, low normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and high normal free thyroxine
(FT4) are all associated with the increased risk of AF. An association between endothelial dysfunction
and SH seems to exist. Data regarding the influence of SHr on the peripheral vascular system are conflicting.
SH is a risk factor for stroke in subjects under 65. SHr does not increase the risk of stroke. Both SH and SHr
have an unfavourable effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. There is a U-shaped
curve of mortality in relation to TSH concentrations. A major factor that modifies the relation between subclinical
thyroid disease (SCTD) and mortality is age. SH increases blood pressure (BP). SHr has no significant effect
on BP. Lipids are increased in patients with SH. In SHr, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein(
a) are increased. SCTD should be treated when TSH is over 10 mU/l or under 0.1 mU/l. Treatment indications
are less clear when TSH is between normal limits and 0.1 or 10 mU/L. The current state of knowledge supports
the understanding of SCTD’s role as a risk factor for CVD development. Age is a significant confounding
factor, probably due to age-associated changes in the TSH reference levels.
Impact of Traditional Plants and their Secondary Metabolites in the Discovery of COVID-19 Treatment
Authors: Bibi Shabana , Sarfraz Ayesha , Mustafa Ghazala , Ahmad Zeeshan , Zeb Muhammad A. , Wang Yuan-Bing , Khan Tahir , Khan Muhammad S. , Kamal Mohammad A. , Yu Hong
Published: November 2020

Background:

Coronavirus Disease-2019 belongs to the family of viruses which cause serious pneumonia
along with fever, breathing issues and infection of lungs, and was first reported in China and later spread
worldwide.

Objective:

Several studies and clinical trials have been conducted to identify potential drugs and vaccines for
Coronavirus Disease-2019. The present study listed natural secondary metabolites identified from plant sources
with antiviral properties and could be a safer and tolerable treatment for Coronavirus Disease-2019.

Methods:

A comprehensive search on the reported studies was conducted using different search engines such as
Google Scholar, SciFinder, Sciencedirect, Medline PubMed, and Scopus for the collection of research articles
based on plant-derived secondary metabolites, herbal extracts, and traditional medicine for coronavirus infections.

Results:

Status of COVID-19 worldwide and information of important molecular targets involved in COVID-
19 are described, and through literature search, it is highlighted that numerous plant species and their extracts
possess antiviral properties and are studied with respect to coronavirus treatments. Chemical information, plant
source, test system type with a mechanism of action for each secondary metabolite are also mentioned in this
review paper.

Conclusion:

The present review has listed plants that have presented antiviral potential in the previous coronavirus
pandemics and their secondary metabolites, which could be significant for the development of novel and a
safer drug which could prevent and cure coronavirus infection worldwide.
Natural Products: A Rich Source of Antiviral Drug Lead Candidates for the Management of COVID-19
Authors: Wijayasinghe Yasanandana S. , Bhansali Pravin , Viola Ronald E. , Kamal Mohammad A. , Poddar Nitesh K.
Published: November 2020

Today, the world is suffering from the pandemic of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a respiratory
illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pandemic is
the third fatal coronavirus outbreak that has already occurred in the 21st century. Even six months after its
emergence, hundreds of thousands of people are still being infected with SARS-CoV-2, and thousands of lives
are lost every day across the world. No effective therapy has been approved to date for the treatment of this
disease, suggesting the need to broaden the scope in the search for effective treatments. Throughout history,
folk medicine has been successfully used to treat various ailments in humans, and Traditional Chinese Medicine
has been instrumental in the containment of a number of viral diseases. Owing to their high chemical diversity
and safety profiles, natural products offer great promises as potentially effective antiviral drugs. In recent years,
a large number of anti-coronaviral phytochemicals with different mechanisms of action have been identified.
Among them, tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, caffeic acid, and saikosaponin B2 block viral entry. A number of
flavonoids inhibit viral proteases. Silvestrol inhibits protein synthesis. Myricetin and scutellarein inhibit viral
replication. Emodin, luteolin, and quercetin demonstrate anti-coronaviral activity by inhibiting multiple processes
in the virus life cycle. In this review, we critically evaluate the findings of the natural product-based anticoronaviral
research that has been published during the last two decades, and attempt to provide a comprehensive
description about their utility as potential broad-spectrum anti-coronaviral drugs, examining leads that may
guide/facilitate anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development studies.
Phytotherapy for Wound Healing: The Most Important Herbal Plants in Wound Healing Based on Iranian Ethnobotanical Documents
Authors: Solati Kamal , Karimi Mehrdad , Rafieian-Kopaei Mahmoud , Abbasi Naser , Abbaszadeh Saber , Bahmani Mahmoud
Published: November 2020

Wound healing is a process that starts with the inflammatory response after the occurrence
of any damage. This process initiates by restoring the wound surface coating tissue, migrating fibroblasts
to form the required collagen, forming a healing tissue and finally, leading to contortion and
extraction of the wound. Today, various drugs are used to heal wounds. However, the drugs used to
repair wounds have some defects and side effects. In spite of all attempts to accelerate wound healing
definitely, no safe drug has been introduced for this purpose. Therefore, the necessity to identify herbal
plants in ethnopharmacology and ethnobotany documents with healing effects is essential. In this
article, we tried to review and present effective Iranian medicinal plants and herbal compounds used
for wound healing. Searching was performed on databases, including ISI Web of Science, PubMed,
PubMed Central, Scopus, ISC, SID, Magiran and some other databases. The keywords used included
wound healing, skin treatment, medicinal plants, ethnobotany, and phytotherapy. In this regard, 139
medicinal plants effective on wound healing were identified based on ethnopharmacology and ethnobotanical
sources of Iran. Plants such as Salvia officinalis, Echium amoenum, Verbascum spp.,
G1ycyrrhiza glabra, Medicago sativa, Mentha pulegium, Datura stramonium L., Alhagi spp., Aloe
vera, Hypericum perforatum, Pistacia atlantica and Prosopis cineraria are the most important and
useful medicinal plants used for wound healing in Iran. These native Iranian medicinal plants are rich
in antioxidants and biological compounds and might be used for wound healing and preparation of
new drugs.
Ideational Fluency in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Mednieks Janis , Naumovs Vladimrs , Skilters Jurgis
Published: November 2020

Background:

Neuropsychiatric symptoms have been well documented in several systemic
inflammatory conditions, for example, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Increased prevalence
of cognitive decline and psychiatric issues has been reported in patients with rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). However, there is limited evidence of which exact cognitive domains are affected
and to what degree.

Aim:

To test the performance of cognition in the domain of ideational fluency (Thing Categories
Test in particular) in patients with RA and compare the results with the general population and to
the results with cognitive and depression screening scores in both groups.

Methods:

Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) assessment,
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Thing Categories Test (TCT) were used
to evaluate patients with RA, as well as the control group.

Results:

Twenty patients with RA and 20 controls were tested, with 7 and 4 men, and 13 and 16
women in the study and control group, respectively. Average scores in TCT at three minutes were
7.50 (IQR6.0-10.0) and 6.0 (IQR3.0-8.0) for category “blue”; 17.50 (IQR15.0-19.0) and 16.0
(10.0-18.0) for category “round” in the control and study group, respectively. A statistically significant
difference was established between the study and the control group in TCT for the category
“blue” (p<0.025). The average score for GAD7 was 2.0 (IQR 0.0-5.75) and 3.0 (IQR0.50-6.00) in
the control and study group, respectively. The average score for PHQ-9 was 2.0 (IQR0.25-4.75)
and 4.0 (IQR2.00-5.50) in the control and study group, respectively. Finally, the average score for
the MoCA scale was 27.0 (IQR25.25-28.00) and 26.0 (IQR23.50-28.00) in the control and study
group, respectively.

Conclusions:

Preliminary evidence suggests that RA at least partially affects the cognitive domain
of ideational fluency. However, further research with larger experimental groups is needed to provide
more conclusive evidence.
In silico Screening of Pyridoxine Carbamates for Anti-Alzheimer’s Activities
Authors: Baswar Dnyaneshwar , Sharma Abha , Mishra Awanish
Published: November 2020

Background:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an irreversible complex neurodegenerative
disorder, is the most common type of dementia, with progressive loss of cholinergic neurons.
Based on the multi-factorial etiology of Alzheimer’s disease, novel ligands strategy appears as an
up-coming approach for the development of newer molecules against AD. This study is envisaged
to investigate anti-Alzheimer’s potential of 10 synthesized compounds. The screening of compounds
(1-10) was carried out using in silico techniques.

Methods:

For in silico screening of physicochemical properties of compounds, Molinspiration property
engine v.2018.03, Swiss ADME online web-server and pkCSM ADME were used. For pharmacodynamic
prediction, PASS software was used, while the toxicity profile of compounds was analyzed
through ProTox-II online software. Simultaneously, molecular docking analysis was performed
on mouse AChE enzyme (PDB ID:2JGE, obtained from RSCB PDB) using Auto Dock Tools 1.5.6.

Results:

Based on in silico studies, compound 9 and 10 have been found to have better druglikeness,
LD50 value, better anti-Alzheimer’s, and nootropic activities. However, these compounds
had poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Compounds 4 and 9 were predicted with
a better docking score for the AChE enzyme.

Conclusion:

The outcome of in silico studies has suggested, out of various substitutions at different
positions of pyridoxine-carbamate, compound 9 has shown promising drug-likeness, with
better safety and efficacy profile for anti-Alzheimer’s activity. However, BBB permeability appears
as one of the major limitations of all these compounds. Further studies are required to confirm
its biological activities.
Proteome Analysis of CD4+ T Cells Reveals Differentially Expressed Proteins in Infertile Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients
Authors: Nasri Fatemeh , Zare Maryam , Doroudchi Mehrnoosh , Gharesi-Fard Behrouz
Published: November 2020

Background:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent endocrine disorder affecting 6–7% of
premenopausal women. Recent studies revealed that the immune system especially CD4+ T helper cells are important in the
context PCOS. Proteome analysis of CD4+ T lymphocytes can provide valuable information regarding the biology of these
cells in the context of PCOS.

Objective:

To investigate immune dysregulation in CD4+ T lymphocytes at the protein level in the context of PCOS using
two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and mass spectrometry (MS).

Methods:

In the present study, we applied two-dimensional gel electrophoresis / mass spectrometry to identify proteins differentially expressed by peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in ten PCOS women compared with ten healthy women. Western
blot technique was used to confirm the identified proteins.

Results:

Despite the overall proteome similarities, there were significant differences in the expression of seven spots between two groups (P <0.05). Three proteins, namely phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1, proteasome activator
complex subunit 1 and triosephosphate isomerase 1 were successfully identified by Mass technique and confirmed by western blot. All characterized proteins were over-expressed in CD4+ T cells from patients compared to CD4+ T cells from controls (P <0.05). In-silico analysis suggested that the over-expressed proteins interact with other proteins involved in cellular
metabolism especially glycolysis and ferroptosis pathway.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that metabolic adjustments in CD4+ T lymphocytes, which is in favor of increased glycolysis and Th2 differentiation are important in the context of PCOS.
Outcomes in Pregnant Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Autoimmunity: A Critical Appraisal of Recent Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Negro Roberto
Published: November 2020

The management of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) in
pregnancy is still uncertain. Over the years, several scientific societies published guidelines on the management
of thyroid dysfunction before, during, and after pregnancy, the most recent ones being published
by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in 2017. This study aimed to review the published
literature in the field from 2017 onward to investigate whether new findings can change ATA recommendations.
A literature search was conducted in PubMed between March 2017 (date of the publication
of the ATA guidelines) and March 2020. The research was restricted to randomized controlled trials
(RCTs), having pregnancy-related complications in patients with SCH and TAI as the main focus. A
total of 5 RCTs were retrieved, 2 of which investigated pregnant women with SCH and 3 with TAI. Selected
studies displayed proofs against treating maternal SCH and hypothyroxinemia because no benefit
from LT4 was demonstrated in offspring intelligence quotient and in pregnancy outcomes; moreover,
they reported proofs against treating TAI patients because no benefit from LT4 was demonstrated in
improving pregnancy rate or live birth rate or reducing miscarriage rate.RCTs published from 2017 to
2020 might have a significant impact on current ATA guidelines. In particular, they suggested that isolated
hypothyroxinemia and SCH should not be treated and that considering treatment in antibodypositive
women, especially those with TSH of 2.5–4.0 mIU/L, would not be justified; they suggested that
infertility and miscarriage rates are not decreased by LT4 treatment in euthyroid antibody-positive women
seeking pregnancy.
Evaluation of Safety, Antileishmanial, and Chemistry of Ethanolic Leaves Extracts of Seven Medicinal Plants: An In-vitro Study
Authors: Shaheen Nargis , Qureshi Naveeda Akhter , Iqbal Attiya , Ashraf Asma , Fatima Huma
Published: November 2020

Background:

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that currently affects people among 98 countries and causes significant morbidity and mortality. Current chemotherapeutic intervention is unsatisfactory and has various limitations that highlight the necessity to develop safe and effective therapeutic approaches from natural products.

Objective:

The main objective of current study was the evaluation of the antileishmanial activity along with toxicity assessment of selected plant extracts.

Methods:

The ethanolic leaves extracts of selected plants were evaluated for their qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening by standard protocols. The antioxidant potential of plant extracts was determined by total antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging assays. The cytotoxicity analysis using brine shrimp lethality assay andin-vitroantileishmanial activity against promastigotes of L. tropica (Accession# MN891719) were also evaluated.

Results:

The preliminary examination of crude extracts revealed that P. armeniaca showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content (279.62±5.40µgGAE/mgDW and 205.70 ±2.41µgQA/mgDW, respectively), among others. P. armeniaca showed strongest antioxidants (120.37±4.90 µgAAE/mgDW) and FRP values (278.71±1.03µgAAE/mgDW). All the plant extracts showed cytotoxicity in safety range >1000µg/ml except F. glomerata having LC50 values of 454.34 µg/ml. In the present study, P. communis and P. pashia showed some level of activity (LC50 56.68 and 60.95µg/ml respectively) while P. armeniaca demonstrated the highest antileishmanial activity (LC50 16.18µg/ml).

Conclusion:

The findings are highly encouraging so, further and extensive investigations of P. arminica should be carried out; especially bio guided fractionation to identify the active fraction and further chemical characterization of structure.
Echinochrome Pigment Improves Male Rats' Fertility
Authors: Farag Neveen Asmet , Mohamed Ayman S , El Sayed Hanan Farag , Salah EL Din Eman Y. , Tawfik Abdel Rahman A.
Published: November 2020

Background::

Infertility is the first-rate public health problem affecting one in five married
couples globally; male causes embody a significant proportion. Natural products could be an
alternative or complementary inexpensive treatment for such matters. Echinochrome (Ech) is a natural
quinone pigment obtained from sea urchin, and it was confirmed to possess many pharmacological
properties due to its chemical activity.

Objective::

The current research paper was targeted to evaluate the potential effects of Ech on male
fertility, and to highlight the possible involved mechanisms.

Methods::

Eighteen adult male rats were randomly distributed into three groups: control (1 ml of
2% DMSO, p.o.), low dose Ech (0.1 mg/kg, p.o.), and high dose Ech (1 mg/kg p.o.).

Results::

The high dose Ech caused a significant decline in the levels of glucose, ALT, AST, ALP,
urea, Cr, uric acid, TG, TC and LDL-C and testicular tissue MDA, while it caused a significant rise
in the levels of albumin, TP, HDL-C, FSH, LH, testosterone and testicular tissue GSH activity.
Moreover, it showed a significant positive effect on the testis weight, caudal epididymis weight,
sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, fructose concentration, and α-glucosidase activity.
However, no significant changes were observed in the histological examination of testicular tissue
among all groups.

Conclusion::

High dose Ech improved male rat-fertility either directly by activating the pituitarygonadal
axis, and or indirectly via enhancing the renal and hepatic functions, the lipid profile and
or the antioxidant pathways.
Aile Hekimliği Polikliniğine Başvuran Erişkin Hastaların Sağlıklı Beslenme Hakkındaki Tutumları
Authors: KARACİF Fatih , ÇELİKCAN Gaye , ÖZÇAKIR Alis , UNCU Yeşim , ALPER Züleyha
Published: November 2020

Giriş: Sağlıklı beslenmenin, insan sağlığı üzerindeki önemi tartışılmazdır. Kişilerin doğumdan ölüme kadar hekim olarak sorumluluğunu alan aile hekimleri için, gerek koruyucu hekimlik, gerekse bireyselleştirilmiş sağlık hizmeti sunma açısından kendisine başvuran kişilerin beslenmeye bakış açılarını, besin tercihlerini anlamak ve bu konularda danışmanlık yapmak son derece önemlidir. Bu çalışmada; belli bir zaman diliminde polikliniğe başvuran kişilerin sağlıklı beslenme konusuna yaklaşımlarının incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Çalışma, kesitsel tipte ve semi-kalitatif niteliktedir. Haziran-Eylül 2018 tarihleri arasında herhangi bir nedenle aile hekimliği polikliniğine başvuran 18 yaş üstü, 40 erkek ve 40 kadın olmak üzere toplam 80 kişi randomize olarak çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Etik kurul izninin ardından, sözlü onamları alınan katılımcılara; araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulmuş anket formu uygulanmıştır. Anket, genel sosyodemografik veriler, beslenmeye yönelik 13 kantitatif ve 6 kalitatif soru olmak üzere 3 bölümden oluşmaktadır. Elde edilen veri analizleri SPSS 21 programında değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmaya katılan hastaların %48,8’i (39) 18-25 yaş grubunda olup, %42,5’i (34) öğrencidir. %42,5’i (34) sağlığını iyi olarak değerlendirmiş, %42,5’i (34) bir sağlık sorununa sahip olduğunu bildirmiştir. Katılımcıların %47,5’inin (38) günlük toplam öğün sayısı üçtür; %61,3’ü (49) her sabah düzenli kahvaltı yapmakta, %75’i (60) öğün atlamaktadır ve bunun en sık nedeni olarak %40,9 (25) ile 'zaman bulamamak' bildirilmektedir. Katılımcıların %61,3’ü (49) sıklıkla kola, çay, kahve tüketmekte ve beslenme konusundaki bilgiyi sıklıkla %31,3 (25) ile aile, akraba, arkadaştan edinmektedir. Aile hekiminden en çok talep edilen %71 (57) ile aile hekiminin kişilere beslenme konusunda önerilerde bulunması ve kişileri bilgilendirmesidir. Sonuç: Beslenmenin sağlık üzerindeki rolüne rağmen, erişkinlerde bu konuda yetersizliklerin olduğu görülmektedir. Kişiler sağlıklı beslenme kavramını yeterli düzeyde bilmedikleri için yanlış beslenme davranışları göstermekte ve bu durum beslenme ile ilgili sağlık problemlerinin ortaya çıkmasına yol açmaktadır. Katılımcılar aile hekimlerinden sağlıklı beslenme konusunda bilgilendirme talep etmektedir. Bu nedenle aile hekimlerinin, kişilerin beslenme yaklaşımlarını, tercihlerini, yanlış uygulamalarını mümkün olduğunca erken tespit edip, uygun önerilerle takip ve danışmanlık yapmaları gerekmektedir.
Study on spacial-temporal analysis of ground surface temperature for global warming countermeasures
Authors: Matsui Tomoko
Published: November 2020

Extreme weather events can arrive unannounced and cause immense harm for communities. Especially in cities where many people live in close proximity, events like flash flooding, windstorms or even heat waves can cause property damage, overworking of the emergency infrastructure and
death. Unfortunately, because climate change continues to alter weather patterns, from subtle local variations to changes in global factors like ocean currents, these events are occurring with increased frequency. There is a great need for accurate monitoring and prediction systems that can
help forecast these catastrophes. Monitoring overall changes in the patterns of these events will also help governments and citizens better adapt and plan measures to protect themselves from climate change's inevitable impact. Professor Tomoko Matsui is an expert in the field of statistical
spatial-temporal modelling. Matsui is heading up an international team of researchers at the Institute of Statistical Mathematics in Tokyo, Heriot-Watt University in UK and the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Tsukuba to find ways for using a variety of data including low-resolution
surface meteorological observation, time-series measurements of ground surface temperature by high-resolution satellite and social media.
Driving Taiwanese science and technology research
Authors: Shieh Dar-Bin
Published: November 2020

Professor Dar-Bin Shieh, Deputy Minister at the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology, shares with us details of the efforts undertaken at the Ministry to promote and support scientific and technological research and development in Taiwan, including his response to the COVID-19
pandemic
Ideal quality control for waste gypsum board recycling and social implementation
Authors: Endo Kazuto
Published: November 2020

Gypsum board is used all around the world as a key material for the construction industry. One of the challenges with this product is the resulting waste, the majority of which is simply thrown away. Dr Kazuto Endo, of the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan, has been
investigating the issue of gypsum board waste recycling for the past 15 years and has been instrumental in the creation of quality guidelines for recycled gypsum powder and the implementation of these standards across the industry, resulting in higher levels of recycling and safer, more sustainable
use of resources. Endo's work, both on recycling gypsum board waste and the development and implementation of quality control guidelines for this process, have the potential to play a significant role in increasing both safety and sustainability of the use of this resource.
Study of Structural Change in Paddy Agriculture under Reorganization of Direct Payment Policy
Authors: Nishikawa Kunio
Published: November 2020

Rice has long been an integral part of Japan's culture and economy, as well as an important commodity in Japan-US relations, but farmers in Japan are concerned that trouble is afoot due to competition from countries such as the US, where rice production is more competitive, as well
as reorganization of direct payment policy. The question is, how can rice production in Japan remain competitive amidst such competition? One researcher is seeking to shed light on the situation and explore how paddy agriculture in Japan can potentially flourish. Dr Kunio Nishikawa is based
at Ibaraki University, Japan, whose Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)-funded work is exploring the discrepancy in crop output in the US versus Japan, and seeking to find new ways to boost Japan's agriculture.
Analysis of the genetic basis of speciation induced by adaptation to new oviposition substrates
Authors: Takahashi Aya
Published: November 2020

Evolution, the constant source of change in the biological world is a force that is enacted on all species. By way of natural selection and adaptation species change over time in the face of challenges. Often these challenges result from the competition for mates and other resources
like food. All animals must eat to survive and survive to reproduce so being able to navigate their environments, stay alive and find food are of the outmost importance. When an environment, or niche, becomes too crowded and the fight for space and food becomes too great, species can evolve
specific adaptions in order to exploit new niches where resources are abundant and competitors scarce. Upon moving into a new niche however they become isolated from other members of their species and over time as they adapt further to the new niche they diverge, eventually becoming a new
species. Associate Professor Aya Takahashi has dedicated her career to understanding evolutionary biology and genetics, and in particular the process of reproductive isolation and evolution of organisms into new species.
New development of plastid signal research
Authors: Hanaoka Mitsumasa
Published: November 2020

Research into the process of photosynthesis could benefit a range of areas - from increasing output from agriculture and developing stress resistant crops, to the design of solar panels and solar energy harvesting technology. In order to develop our understanding of this process, the
study of photosynthesis needs to focus on the chloroplast - the cellular compartments where photosynthesis takes place. Professor Mitsumasa Hanaoka, from the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Functions in the Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Horticulture at
Chiba University, is exploring how plants coordinate messages between the nucleus and chloroplasts responsible for optimised photosynthesis.
Financiamento do balanço de pagamentos
Authors: Yanagawa Silvio Hitoshi
Published: November 2020

Estamos realmente atravessando fase muito difícil para as nossas exportações e há dificuldade ainda maior para conseguirmos financiamentos no mercado internacional.
A cooperação recíproca entre os governos e as diversas formas de incentivo às transações internacionais
Authors: Bidwell Truman
Published: November 2020

Quanto ao papel do advogado, julga-se que este profissional pode ajudar os homens de negócio porque é talvez mais solicitado para oferecer soluções objetivas a questões difíceis. É importante nas negociações externas conhecer antes de tudo o mercado e onde o produto pode enquadrar-se nesse mercado, o que certamente implica conhecimento de legislação estrangeira. Mas a primeira coisa, naturalmente, é conhecer o clima, as práticas e as possibilidades comerciais do país com o qual se vai negociar, porque, afinal, é o comerciante que faz o projeto; o resto é mera assistência.
As exigências da Cacex na concessão de financiamentos à exportação
Authors: Chaves Lincoln de Souza
Published: November 2020

Nos financiamentos concedidos à exportação pela Cacex são exigidos quatro tipos de garantia. A exemplificação baseia-se nos contratos de financiamento de navios.
Desenvolvimento de tecnologia própria. Áreas selecionadas de investimentos
Authors: Silva Ozílio Carlos da
Published: November 2020

Obviamente, quem produz um produto tecnologicamente avançado, como é o caso da Embraer, que enfrenta pesada competição no mercado internacional, e que age numa área de rápida evolução da tecnologia, como aliás o Mr. Dealy acabou de mencionar, no caso da empresa que ele dirigiu essas características fazem com que qualquer empresa, para sobreviver neste ambiente, tinha que fazer pesados investimentos no desenvolvimento de tecnologia própria. É praticamente impossível na área aeroespacial, hoje, uma empresa ter porte internacional se não possuir capacidade de desenvolvimento de tecnologia própria. E onde estão esses investimentos em tecnologia? Selecionar-se-ão, a seguir alguns pontos principais onde uma empresa investe pesadamente no desenvolvimento da tecnologia própria. Antes de tudo, e o mais importante, a meu ver, é o treinamento de pessoal, porque a rápida evolução da tecnologia faz com que a obsolência dos equipamentos dos sistemas de testes, dos auxílios para o desenvolvimento, laboratórios, etc., tenham mortalidade muito rápida. A única coisa que não tem uma mortalidade rápida em termos de investimentos é um treinamento eficiente e avançado do pessoal técnico; e esse sempre tem um retorno garantido.
Tecnologia como participação de capital
Authors: Rashed Samia
Published: November 2020

Tratar-se-á aqui de tecnologia como meio de importação de capital, vale dizer, da tecnologia como participação de capital. Nas companhias que se instituem, esse método pode ser substancial para o desenvolvimento global da economia.
Poluição do ar nas áreas metropolitanas de São Paulo - situação até março de 1983
Authors: Nefussi Nelson
Published: November 2020

Nas áreas metropolitanas, tendo em vista, principalmente, o rápido crescimento urbano e industrial, frequentemente, de uma forma espacial desordenada, com consequente apresentação de altas densidades populacionais e de atividades econômicas, são gerados problemas de ordem social, especialmente sanitários, cujo equacionamento e solução são extremamente complexos, representando verdadeiros desafios a administração publica. Dependendo da característica de cada país, esta citada complexidade pode ser agravada por diversos fatores, entre os quais, por serem importantes no Brasil, em especial no Estado de São Paulo.