bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case of Thyroid Storm Caused by Graves' Disease Misdiagnosed as Panic Attack Due to Panic Disorder
Authors: Yasuda Manabu , Kumakura Jun , Kiyonori Oka , Fukuda Kazuhito
Published: January 2021

BackgroundGraves' disease is characterized by hyperthyroidism and the symptoms of Graves' disease often overlap with those of panic disorder, which may make it difficult to distinguish between the two conditions. In this report, we describe how proper diagnosis of thyroid disease in patients with mental illness can lead to appropriate treatment.Case presentationWe encountered a 34-year-old woman in whom thyroid crisis from Graves’ disease was misdiagnosed as panic attack. The patient was being managed as a case of panic disorder and bipolar disorder in a psychiatric outpatient setting. About 6 months before presentation, she had lost about 16 kg in weight, and a month before presentation, she developed several unpleasant symptoms as her condition worsened. Several weeks before, she had severe palpitations, tachycardia, and discomfort in her throat. She became unable to eat solids and ate only yogurt and gelatin and felt difficult to take psychiatric drugs.A day on the Sunday morning, she visited our department of emergency outpatient with severe nausea. Examination revealed proptosis, and so thyroid function tests were requested in addition to routine blood tests. There was no improvement in her condition, and she returned to hospital in the early hours of the next morning. Based on her symptoms, she was diagnosed as having panic attacks due to panic disorder and was given diazepam injection and allowed to go home. There was no suspicion of Graves' disease.Later that day, the thyroid function test results became available and thyroid storm was suspected. The endocrinology department was consulted immediately and she was referred and hospitalized the next day. During hospitalization, she was treated with steroid and radioisotope therapy, and was discharged from hospital in three weeks. ConclusionPsychiatrists and doctors engaged in psychosomatic medicine need to consider the possibility of thyroid disease as a differential diagnosis of panic disorder. It is necessary to check thyroid function at the initial examination when a patient presents with symptoms of severe panic attack.
Shadow Economy, Economic Growth and Financial Development
Authors: Mar'i Muhammad , Cavusoglu Behiye
Published: January 2021

This study investigates the association between the economic growth, the shadow economy, and financial development in 156 countries worldwide for the period between 1991 and 2015. The study employs two-panel approaches, the panel vector Autoregression, and Panel Quantile Regression. The result shows that economic growth has a negative effect on the shadow economy, while the financial development variables have an asymmetric effect on the shadow economy. On the other hand, the results show that the shadow economy effects economic growth positively and financial development negatively. Also, Panel Quantile Regression shows that economic growth and financial development significantly affect the shadow economy at different quantiles. The effect of economic growth on the shadow economy found as negative at all tested quantiles, while financial development variables vary across the quantiles.JEL:C50, E00, O11, O17
mRNA Analysis Identifies deep Intronic Splicing Variants Leading to Alport Syndrome and Overcomes the Problem of Negative Results of Exome Sequencing
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Zhang Yanqin , Ding Jie , Wang Fang
Published: January 2021

Mutations in COL4A3, COL4A4 and COL4A5 genes lead to Alport syndrome (AS). However, pathogenic variants in some AS patients are not detected by exome sequencing. The aim of this study was to identify the underlying genetic causes of five unrelated AS probands with negative NGS test results. Urine COL4A3–5 mRNAs were analyzed in the probands with an uncertain inherited mode of AS, and COL4A5 mRNA of skin fibroblasts was analyzed in the probands with X-linked AS. RT-PCR and direct sequencing were performed to detect mRNA abnormalities. PCR and direct sequencing were used to analyze the exons with flanking intronic sequences corresponding to mRNA abnormalities. Nine novel deep intronic splicing variants in COL4A4 and COL4A5 genes that cannot be captured by exome sequencing were identified in the five AS probands. Skipping of an exon was caused by four intronic variants, and retention of an intron fragment led to the remaining variant. Our results reveal that mRNA analysis for AS genes from either urine or skin fibroblasts can resolve genetic diagnosis in AS patients with negative NGS results. We recommend analyzing COL4A3–5 mRNA from urine as the first choice for these patients because it is feasible and non-invasive.
Comprehensive Analysis of Aberrantly Expressed CircRNAs in The Ossification of The Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Authors: Gao Qi-Chang , Zhang Zhi-Zhuang , Shao Tuo , Tang Wei-Long , Hu Yu-Hang , Li Fu-Chun , Shen Hong-Tao , Gu Jia-Ao , Yu Zhan-Ge
Published: January 2021

Introduction With producing the severe neurological symptoms and movement disorders, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) have attracted attention in mounting numbers. Increasing evidences show that circRNAs act a vital regulatory role in the biological process of human disease development. However, the potential mechanism of circRNAs in OPLL was not fully known.MethodsIn this study, 3 OPLL patients and 3 controls were selected for RNA-seq analysis and the expression profiles of circRNAs were established. TargetScan and miRanda's miRNA target prediction software were used to predict the circRNA-microRNA interaction. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was used to identify the biological process and key pathways. we used STRING database to analyze and construct a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network. Several circRNAs were randomly selected for quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validation. ResultsMicroarray data profiling indicated that 489 circRNAs (234 up and 255 down) was highly differentially expressed with setting screening criteria (FC ≥ 2.0 and p value ≤ 0.05). GO enrichment and KEGG pathways analysis revealed some processes and pathways might influence the progress of OPLL such as osteoclast differentiation, vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption, Wnt, MAPK, VEGF signaling pathway. We have obtained some significant genes such as AKT3, ACVR1, RBPJ, NFATC1, PTK2, SLC8A1. The osteoclast activity regulated by AKTs may compensate for the promotion of bone ectopic hyperplasia on OPLL.Conclusions It is the first study for portraying circRNAs expression profiles of OPLL. This provides new ideas for the prevention and alleviation of OPLL . The specific functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in OPLL should be further verified to provide more clinical treatment options for OPLL patients.
ACE2 Expression and its Prognostic Significance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: NIE Hui , WANG Yutong , HUANG Xia , LIAO Zhiming , Ou Chunlin , ZHOU Jianhua
Published: January 2021

Background and objective: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a membrane structural glycoprotein that acts as a key receptor in the process of SARS-CoV-2 infection, has been identified as an oncogene in some tumor types. However, few studies have explored the role of the ACE2 gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between ACE2 and HNSCC and explore early markers and molecular targets for the treatment of HNSCC. Methods: Integrative bioinformatics analyses were applied to uncover the potential role of ACE2 in HNSCC development and tumor-associated immunology. Results: The results showed that ACE2 was highly expressed in HNSCC and significantly correlated with clinical features such as sex. In addition, ACE2 may be a potential prognostic marker for HNSCC, as it was correlated with shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) according to the Kaplan-Meier method. The PPI network revealed that STAT1 is the gene most closely related to ACE2 and that the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was the most relevant pathway. Moreover, ACE2 expression was closely associated with the immune-infiltrating levels of CD8 + T cells, myeloid dendritic cells, and neutrophils. Conclusions: The viral entry molecule ACE2 plays an important role in the tumorigenesis and cancer-immune interactions of HNSCC, suggesting that it is a novel molecular target and a new immune checkpoint in the diagnosis and treatment of HNSCC.
A Network Pharmacology Approach and Molecular Docking Technology to Uncover the Potential Molecular Mechanism of Astragalus -Scorpion on Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wu Litong , Chen Ying , Chen Mingjing , Yang Yueqin , Che Zuzhao , Li Qixin , You Xujun , Fu Wei
Published: January 2021

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of Astragalus-Scorpion in the treatment of prostate cancer by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods: Using TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM, TCMID and Swiss TargetPrediction Databases to retrieve the active ingredients and corresponding targets of Astragalus-Scorpion. The targets related to prostate cancer were retrieved through GeneCards, so as to obtain the common targets of Astragalus-Scorpion and prostate cancer. The common targets were input into the STRING database for protein interaction analysis. Cytoscape software was used to construct the active “ingredient-target-disease” network, and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed on the common targets. To screen the core ingredients and targets that play therapeutic roles, Autodock software was used for molecular docking verification. Results: 27 active ingredients, 340 potential targets related to active ingredients, 898 targets related to disease and 122 common targets were screened from Astragalus-Scorpion totally. The core targets of PPI network were JUN, AKT1, IL6, MAPK1 and RELA, while the core active ingredients in the active ingredient-target-disease network were quercetin, kaempferol, formononetin, 7-o-methylisomucronulatol and calycosin.762 GO entries and 154 pathways were obtained by enrichment analysis totally. The molecular docking results showed that quercetin binds to AKT1 and RELA, kaempferol to AKT1, and formononetin to RELA, all of which were stable. Conclusion: Quercetin, kaempferol and others in the Astragalus-Scorpion can regulate multiple signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway by binding to targets such as AKT1 related to prostate cancer, inhibit the proliferation of tumor to play a role for prostate cancer.
Monitoring Unfractionated Heparin In Adult Patients Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): ACT, APTT or Anti-Xa?
Authors: Nguyen Tung Phi , Phan Xuan Thi , Huynh Dai Quang , Truong Ha Thi Viet , Le Yen Nguyen Hai , Nguyen Tuan Manh , Du Quan Quoc Minh , Le Thao Phuong , Truong Hai Ngoc , Ho Thi Thi , Pham Thao Thi Ngoc
Published: January 2021

Background: During ECMO, anticoagulant, particularly unfractionated heparin (UFH) is commonly used and monitored by laboratory tests, including ACT, APTT, and anti-Xa level.Method: A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted on adult patients undergoing ECMO between January 2019 and January 2020 at a tertiary hospital. The correlations between ACT, APTT, anti-Xa, antithrombin, and UFH dose were assessed.Results: 129 sets of measurements from 37 patients were obtained including ACT, APTT, anti-Xa, antithrombin, and UFH dose measured simultaneously. 102 out of 129 sets of values were interpreted as antithrombin deficiencies. The correlation coefficient between APTT and anti-Xa; ACT and anti-Xa are 0.72 and 0.33, respectively, p <0.001. The patients with normal antithrombin levels exhibited a significant correlation between APTT and anti-Xa (r = 0.80, p <0.001). ACT, on the other hand, was poorly correlated with UFH dose. Anti-Xa and APTT are only moderately correlated with UFH dose in the group without antithrombin deficiency, with correlation coefficients of 0.62 and 0.57 respectively, p <0.05. Conclusion: APTT value is strongly correlated with anti-Xa value, particularly in patients with normal antithrombin levels. However, the ACT value was poorly correlated with anti-Xa and not with UFH dose. In groups without antithrombin deficiency, APTT and anti-Xa values only moderately correlated with UFH dose.
Infection Complications After Trauma Contribute to Increased in-Hospital Mortality in Mild Patients Compared With Severe Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using a Nationwide Trauma Registry in Japan
Authors: Komori Akira , Iriyama Hiroki , Kainoh Takako , Aoki Makoto , Naito Toshio , Abe Toshikazu
Published: January 2021

Background: Infection is a very common but poor prognostic complication affecting trauma patients. However, the impact of infection on the prognosis of trauma patients according to severity remains unclear. We aimed to assess the impact of infection complications on in-hospital mortality among patients with trauma according to severity. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used a nationwide registry of trauma patients (Japan Trauma Data Bank). Patients aged ≥ 18 years with blunt or penetrating trauma who were admitted to intensive care units or general wards between 2004 and 2017 were included. We compared the baseline characteristics and outcomes between patients with and without infection and conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to investigate the impact of infection on in-hospital mortality according to trauma severity, which was classified as mild [Injury Severity Score (ISS) < 15], moderate (ISS 15–29), or severe (ISS ≥ 30). Results: Among the 150,948 patients in this study, 10,172 (6.7%) developed infections. The severity of trauma was greater in patients with infection than those without [mild, 3,837 (37.7%) vs. 84,106 (59.7%); moderate, 4,518 (44.4%) vs. 47,809 (34.0%); severe, 1,817 (17.9%) vs. 8,861 (6.3%), p < 0.01]. Patients with infection had greater in-hospital mortality than patients without infection [1,079 (10.6%) vs. 2,904 (2.1%), p < 0.01]. After adjusting for clinical characteristics, in-hospital mortality differed significantly between trauma patients with and without infection according to trauma severity [16.7% (95% CI; 14.6%–18.8%) vs. 3.6% (95% CI; 3.3%–3.9%), p < 0.01, in patients with mild trauma; 12.3% (95% CI; 11.0%–13.6%) vs. 7.3% (95% CI; 6.9%–7.7%), p < 0.01, in patients with moderate trauma; and 12.0% (95% CI; 9.8%–14.2%) vs. 11.1% (95% CI; 9.8%–12.4%), p = 0.41, in patients with severe trauma].Conclusion: The effect of infection complications in patients with trauma on in-hospital mortality differs by trauma severity.
Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Intestinal Barrier in Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery - A Single-Centre Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Qi Yupeng , Ma Wenjing , Cao Yingya , Chen Qun , Xu Qiancheng , Xiao Shi , Lu Weihua , wang zhen
Published: January 2021

Background: Gastrointestinal failure accounts for death in critically ill patients. This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in intestinal barrier function in critically ill patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.Methods: Patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery were randomized into a DEX group (n=21) or an MID group (n=21). Sufentanil was used in both groups for analgesia. In the DEX group, DEX was loaded (1 µg/kg) before sedation and was infused (0.7 µg/kg/h) during sedation. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), borborygmus resumption time (BRT), first defecation time (FDT), stay of ICU and hospital were observed. The DAO, D-LAC, TNF-α, IL-6 and α7nAChR levels in plasma or haemocytes were detected before the start of the sedation (0 h) and after the sedation (24 h).Results: There were no significant differences in age, sex, BMI, APACHE II score, SOFA (P>0.05). The MAP between 0 and 24 h presented no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05), but HR was significantly slower in the DEX group (P=0.042). The recovery time of bowel sounds was significantly earlier in the DEX group (P=0.034). Both of the stay of ICU (P=0.016) and hospital (P=0.031) were significantly shorter in the DEX group. The expression of α7nAChR in the DEX group was significantly higher at 24 h than at 0 h (P=0.002). The D-LAC decreased significantly in the DEX group than MID group at 24 h (P=0.016).Conclusions: DEX maintained the integrity of the intestinal barrier in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.Trial registration:ChiCTR1900024367. Registered 7 July 2019-Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=40832
Pro-Poor Growth in Different Economic Sectors in Iran: A Zenga Index Approach
Authors: Karimi Mohammad Sharif , Delangizan Sohrab , daiari Elham Heshmati
Published: January 2021

Poverty is one of the most important issues in developing countries; thus, poverty and poverty reduction have always been a concern for nations. This unbearable social phenomenon, which must be controlled, is out of control in most of developing countries. This study aimed to develop coordination and interrelation between economic growth, inequality, and poverty in Iran. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine how much economic growth reduces poverty by calculating pro-poor growth index (PEGR) for service, industry, and agriculture sectors in urban and rural areas in Iran from 2005 to 2018. Besides, it assessed the effect of changes in the average income and the distribution of income on poverty. We identified economic sectors with pro-poor growth. The findings of the research indicated that there was pro poor growth just in the rural service sector in Iran. In addition, although the distribution effects decreased poverty in the other sectors, total poverty increased under the period because of the negative growth. Also, the Zanga index results indicate that inequality has decreased in all sectors during the period.Jel Classification: O47, D33, I32, O15, D63
Factors Associated with Unsuccessful Treatment of Tuberculosis in Arsi-Robe Hospital, Arsi Zone, Ethiopia: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Assefa Addisu , Girma Ararsa , Kloos Helmut
Published: January 2021

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major global health problem and ranks along with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a leading cause of mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment outcome of tuberculosis, and factors associated with treatment outcome of tuberculosis in TB patients enrolled in Arsi-Robe Hospital, Oromia regional state, South eastern Ethiopia between January 2013 to December 2017. Methods: An Institutional-based retrospective study was conducted in Arsi-Robe Hospital from 2013 to 2017 in study patients who had all forms of TB in DOTS clinic. The predictors of treatment outcomes were analyzed through bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis and a P-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 257 registered TB patients, most of them were males (57.9%), from rural areas (62.6%) and in age of 15-24 category (39.3%). PTB-, PTB+ and EPTB were recorded in 48.2%, 32% and 19.8% of the patients, respectively. Among all cases, 8.6% had TB-HIV co-infection. Among all TB cases, 84.0% had successful treatment outcome. TB patients from urban areas (AOR: 3.34, 95% CI: 1.33­8.38, P = 0.01), with failure treatment (AOR: 6.66, 95% CI = 1.12- 39.57; P = 0.037) and HIV positive (AOR: 4.92, 95% CI = 1.38-17.51; P = 0.014) had higher odd of unsuccessful treatment outcome of tuberculosis. However, TB patients with PTB+ (AOR: 0.1470, 95% CI = 0.031-0.687; P = 0.015) and EPTB (AOR: 0.194, 95% CI = 0.054-0.688; P = 0.011) had significantly lesser odd of unsuccessful treatment outcome. Conclusions: Being urban resident, treatment failure and HIV positive considerably challenge the treatment outcome of tuberculosis, but being PTB+ and EPTB were associated with higher treatment success rate of TB. Continuous follow-up of patients with unsuccessful treatment outcome of tuberculosis with strengthened implementation of the DOTs strategies are suggested. Trial Registered: retrospectively registered
Mortality Rate and Case Fatality Rate of COVID-19 Around The World: An Adjusted Estimation
Authors: Soodejani Moslem Taheri , Haghdoost Ali Akbar , Lotfi Mohammad Hassan , Mahmudimanesh Marzieh , Tabatabaei Seyyed Mohammad
Published: January 2021

Background: The present study is designed to predict the global adjusted values for mortality rate and case fatality rate of COVID-19 around the world. Methods: This research was conducted at the ecological level using data from 100 countries which were chosen randomly. The adjusted values were predicted using beta regression considering predictive factors such as total expenditure on health per capita, expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP, life expectancy and the percentage of the population aged over 65 years, hospital beds (per 1000 population), physicians (per 1000 population), nurses (per 1000 population), prevalence of smoking, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and number of confirmed tests in each country. In the end, applying Monte Carlo simulation, the adjusted values of mortality rate and case fatality rate for the whole world were estimated.Results: The results of this study showed that two factors including percentage of population ages 65 and above (P=0.03) and Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (P = 0.04) had a statistically significant relationship with the case fatality rate. Moreover, there was a statistically significant relationship between the mortality rate and life expectancy (P = 0.02), total expenditure on health per capita (P < 0.001), nurses (Per 1000 Population) (P=0.04), and the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (P=0.04). The mortality rate and case fatality rate for the whole world were estimated to be 0.000001 and 0.026, respectively.Conclusion: It seems that what can cause global concern is not the case fatality rate of the disease, but its mortality rate, which is directly related to the health status of a community. The worse the health status of a community, the greater the number of infected people likely to be there, that ultimately increases the mortality rate of the disease in the community.
HPV, p16 and p53 As Indicators of Response to Survival in Larynx Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: LIU KE , Gao Jin , Tao Zhen-chao , Qian Li-ting
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To analyze the relationship between the prognosis of patients with larynx squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, p16 and p53 protein expression. Methods: All patients were treated at the department of radiation oncology, Anhui provincial hospital, between May 2005 and May 2012. The 41 consecutive patients with LSCC were treated surgically and received postoperative radiotherapy. Analyses of pathology specimen were surgically removed and performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. HPV DNA sequences in tumor tissues were screened by a commercial Luminex technique for HPVs and HPV-specific PCR assays. P16 and p53 protein expression were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)for HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients, p16-positive and p16-negative patients, p53-positive and p53-negative patients were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: HPV-DNA was detected in 4(9.7%)of all specimens. Among them, 3 were positive for HPV-56,1 for HPV-16. With the follow-up of 3-78 months(a median of 34 months),patients with HPV-positive tumors had better overall survival than patients with HPV-positive tumors(75% vs 61%, P>0.05). Multivariate analysis by Cox regression model showed that nodal status was independent prognostic factors for patients with LSCC(P<0.05). Conclusions: HPV status is not an independent prognostic factor. Nodal status was independent prognostic factors for patients with LSCC.
Detection of subgenome bias using an anchored syntenic approach in Eleusine coracana (finger millet)
Authors: Hall Nathan Daniel , Patel Jinesh D , McElroy Joseph Scott , Goertzen Leslie Richard
Published: January 2021

Background: Finger millet (Eleusine coracana 2n=4x=36 ) is a hardy, nutraceutical, climate change tolerant, orphan crop that is consumed throughout eastern Africa and India. Its genome has been sequenced multiple times, but A and B subgenomes could not be separated because no published genome for E. indica existed. The classification of A and B subgenomes is important for understanding the evolution of this crop and provide a means to improve current and future breeding programs. Results: We produced subgenome calls for 704 syntenic blocks and inferred A or B subgenomic identity for 59,377 genes 81% of the annotated genes. Phylogenetic analysis of a super matrix containing 455 genes shows high support for A and B divergence within the Eleusine genus. Synonymous substitution rates between A and B genes support A and B calls. The repetitive content on highly supported B contigs is higher than that on similar A contigs. Analysis of syntenic singletons showed evidence of biased fractionation showed a pattern of A genome dominance, with 61% A , 37% B and 1% unassigned, and was further supported by the pattern of loss observed among cyto-nuclear interacting genes.Conclusion: The evidence of individual gene calls within each syntenic block, provides a powerful tool for inference for subgenome classification. Our results show the utility of a draft genome in resolving A and B subgenomes calls, primarily it allows for the proper polarization of A and B syntenic blocks. There have been multiple calls for the use of phylogenetic inference in subgenome classification, our use of synteny is a practical application in a system that has only one parental genome available.
Effect of Vitamin C on mortality of critically ill patients with severe pneumonia in intensive care unit: A preliminary study
Authors: Mahmoodpoor Ata , Shadvar Kamran , Sanaie Sarvin , Hadipoor Mir Reza , Pourmoghaddam Mohammad Ata , saghaleini seied hadi
Published: January 2021

Background: Critically ill patients frequently suffer from vitamin C deficiency. Previous studies showed that high doses of vitamin C administration had conflicting results on clinical outcomes in patients with severe sepsis, burns and trauma. Because of the high incidence and morbidity/mortality with severe pneumonia, we aimed to investigate the effect of administration of high dose vitamin C in critically ill patients with severe pneumonia. Methods: Eighty critically ill patients with pneumonia were enrolled in this randomized double blinded clinical trial. Patients with CURB-65 score >3, one major criteria, or ≥3 minor criteria were considered as severe pneumonia. Patients were randomly assigned to intervention or placebo groups receiving standard treatment plus 60 mg/kg/day vitamin C as continuous infusion or normal saline in the same volume correspondingly for 96 hours. Serum levels of vitamin C were noted at baseline and 48 hours after vitamin C administration. Duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, PaO 2 /FiO 2 and mortality rate were noted for all patients till the 28 th day. Any complications related to the vitamin C administration were recorded. (IRCT registration number: IRCT20190312043030N1 , Registration date: 2019-08-26 , seied hadi saghaleini). Results: Duration of mechanical ventilation and vasopressor use were significantly lower in intervention group ( p : <0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Baseline levels of vitamin C in both groups did not have significant difference but its levels increased in intervention group and decreased in control group during the study period. Mortality rate insignificantly decreased in intervention group ( p : 0.17). Three patients showed hypotension and tachycardia during the administration of vitamin C which was self-limited with decreasing the dose of vitamin C. Conclusion: Our results showed that the intravenous administration of a relatively high dose of vitamin C to critically ill patients with severe pneumonia was safe and could decrease the inflammation, duration of mechanical ventilation and vasopressor use without any significant effect on mortality ( P value: 0.17).
Trichoderma asperellum as a promising mycofungicide for managing the dieback disease of tea Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze
Authors: kumhar kishor , Babu Azariah , Arulmarianathan John Peter , Deka Bhabesh , Bordoloi Mitali , Rajbongshi Hirakjyoti , Dey Pritam
Published: January 2021

Background: The dieback disease of tea caused by Fusarium solani is one of the major constraints in determining its production and quality. Genus Trichoderma is a promising biocontrol agent to control the dieback without any residual effect and is the most suitable option for integrated disease management approach. A few local Trichoderma spp were isolated from tea rhizosphere of the Dooars zone and preliminary identified. Based on dual culture bioassay, the most efficient isolate got re-identified from well reputed national institutes and its liquid formulation (2% Aqueous Suspension) was prepared. Different concentrations of this formulation, T. harzianum and Hexaconazole were evaluated for the control of dieback disease and other parameters for two seasons in three zones under field conditions. Results: The fungal antagonist (KBN-29) was identified as T. asperellum based on characteristics such as regular mycelial branching, typically paired conidiophores with straight phialides and globose to sub-globose shaped conidia. It had the maximum control of dieback pathogen in lab experiment. Spray of T. asperellum formulation at 1200 and 1000 ml/ha concentration conferred comparatively better disease control and enhanced the yield of green tea leaves. The formulation was safe to non-target beneficial insects in all three zones without any phytotoxicity to tea leaves at 4, 8, and 16ml/L concentrations.ConclusionsThe present study confirms that T. asperellum 2% AS formulation was significantly superior in managing the dieback disease of tea plantations in Darjeeling, Dooars, and Assam zones at concentration of 1200 followed by 1000 ml / ha during both seasons. The maximum made tea yield was achieved in plots treated with T. asperellum at 1200 followed 1000 ml/ha. This formulation was safe to beneficial insects viz., C. carnea, O. javanus, and S. gilvifrons, furthermore it was not phytotoxic to tea leaves at 4 to 16ml/L concentrations.
Prevalence of Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection among Indian HIV-positive Men who have Sex with Men: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hernandez Alexandra Lydia , Karthik Rajiv , Sivasubramanian Murugesan , Raghavendran Anantharam , Lensing Shelly , Lee Jeannette Y , Abraham Priya , Mathai Dilip , Palefsky Joel
Published: January 2021

Background: Oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been causally linked to a subset of oropharyngeal cancers in Western populations15-20, and both oropharyngeal cancer and oral HPV infection are increased among HIV-positive individuals24,41. India has high incidences of oral and oropharyngeal cancers, and Indian HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) may be at increased risk of developing oropharyngeal cancers. However, there is little information available on the prevalence of oral HPV in this population.Methods: We tested 302 HIV-positive Indian MSM for oral HPV infection using L1 HPV DNA PCR with probes specific for 29 types and a mixture of 10 additional types. CD4+ level and plasma HIV viral load (VL) were measured. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire including a sexual history.Results: The prevalence of oral HPV was 23.7% (95% CI: 19-29%) and 2.4% of participants had oncogenic HPV types. No participants had oral HPV type 16 (HPV-16) and the prevalence of other anogenital HPV types was low. Participants with higher CD4+ levels had reduced odds of having any oral HPV infection (OR: 3.1 [1.4-6.9]) in multivariable analyses. Conclusions: This is the first report of oral HPV among Indian HIV-positive MSM. Our results show a high prevalence of oral HPV infection consistent with studies from Western populations. However, oncogenic anogenital HPV types were relatively uncommon in our study population. It is unknown what the impact of this distribution of oral HPV will be on oropharyngeal cancers. HIV-positive MSM in India should be monitored closely for oral and oropharyngeal pre-cancer and cancer.
Development of the Gait Outcomes Assessment List for Lower Limb Differences (GOAL-LD) Questionnaire: A Child and Parent Reported Outcome Measure
Authors: Dermott Jennifer A , Wright Virginia , Salbach Nancy M , Narayanan Unni G
Published: January 2021

Background: To develop a priority-based patient/parent reported outcome measure for children with lower-limb differences (LD) by adapting the Gait Outcomes Assessment List (GOAL) questionnaire. Methods: Guided by a conceptual framework of patient priorities, the GOAL questionnaire was iteratively modified and its sensibility evaluated by field-testing it on children with LD, and their parents. Cognitive interviews were conducted with a subgroup of these children, and an e-survey administered to a multidisciplinary group of health care professionals with expertise in paediatric LD. Findings were integrated to create the final version of the GOAL-LD.Results: Twenty-five children (9-18 years), 20 parents, and 31 healthcare professionals evaluated the content and sensibility of the GOAL, with an emphasis on the relevance and importance of the items to patients’ health related quality of life (HRQL). This resulted in the retention of 26 of the original 50 items, elimination of 12, modification of 12, and addition of seven new items. The new 45-item GOAL-LD questionnaire was shown to be sensible and its content deemed important.Conclusions: The GOAL-LD questionnaire has a high level of face and content validity, and sensibility. It comprehensively captures the HRQL goals and outcomes that matter to children with LD and their parents. Following further psychometric evaluation, the GOAL-LD may serve as a much needed evaluate patient and parent reported outcome measure for this population.
Whole-genome characterization of Rosa chinensis AP2/ERF transcription factors and analysis of negative regulator RcDREB2B in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Wei , Geng Ziwen , Zhang Cuiping , Wang Kuiling , Jiang Xinqiang
Published: January 2021

Background: Rose (Rosa chinensis) is a traditional famous flower with valuable ornamental characteristics. However, drought stress restricts its growth and development, leading to an abnormal phenotype. One of the main transcription factor (TF) protein groups in the plant kingdom are the APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor (AP2/ERF) proteins and are potentially involved in the growth and stress responses of various plants. Results: Our investigation mainly focused on exploring the genome of rose and thereby we discovered 135 apparent AP2/ERF TFs. Phylogenic analyses revealed that RcAP2/ERF genes are categorized into DREB, Soloist, AP2, and ERF subfamilies, and are further classified these into 17 groups, with the same as Malus domestica and Arabidopsis thaliana. The analysis of the gene structure revealed that the introns ranged from 0 to 9 in number. Pattern examination demonstrated that the RcAP2/ERF predominantly consists of typical AP2 domains, of which the 2nd motif is the most ubiquitous. Distributions of cis-acting elements indicated that members of the AP2/ERF family are frequently involved in growth and development, phytohormone and stress response in rose species. Also, the distribution mapping of the rose chromosomes indicated that AP2/ERF class genes are dispersed among all seven chromosomes. Additionally, we isolated a novel DREB A2 subgroup gene and named it RcDREB2B. Subsequently, the RcDREB2B transcript accumulation was repressed under the mild and severe drought stress in the root samples of rose. RcDREB2B was targeted to the nucleus and exhibited transactivation in yeast cells. The overexpression of RcDREB2B was found to promote sensitivity to a higher salt concentration, ABA, and PEG at the germination and post-germination stages. Twelve putative osmotic and ABA-related genes were impaired in RcDREB2B-overexpressing plants. Conclusions: The results provide comprehensive information regarding the gene structure, phylogenic, and distribution of the rose AP2/ERF family and bring insight into the complex transcriptional gene regulation of RcAP2/ERF. Findings in this study would also contribute to further understanding of the RcDREB2B gene in rose.
TRANSPARENCY AS PRINCIPLE OF THE ORGANIZATION AND PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE ACTIVITY
Authors: Melnik O.V.
Published: January 2021

In the article, the transparency principle is considered. The purpose of the article is the definition of a principle of transparency, and also its value for the organization and prosecutor’s office activity. The transparency place in the system of principles of the prosecutor’s office is investigated. On the basis of the analysis of various approaches, it is proved that transparency (transparency) is expedient for considering as a principle of the organization and activity of prosecutor’s office which has institutional character, extending as on organizational, and functional aspects of prosecutor’s office.
Transparency as a principle of the organization and activity of prosecutor’s office which lays the foundation for information support of bodies of prosecutor’s office is defined, meaning openness, transparency, availability of information on the organization and prosecutor’s office activity. Value of a principle of transparency which consists in providing is defined: (1) public control over prosecutor’s office; (2) guaranteeing the rights of the physical and legal entities cooperating with prosecutor’s office; (3) statements of the legitimacy of prosecutor’s office by means of formation of the appropriate level of public trust and support of this body. It is established that transparency provides an implementation of civil control over the prosecutor’s office through procedures of informing by society prosecutor’s office about the activity.
It is proved that transparency serves as a guarantee of ensuring the rights of the citizens cooperating with the prosecutor’s office as provides receiving necessary and sufficient information by them about the prosecutor’s office. It is given reason that transparency provides legitimacy of prosecutor’s office as prosecutor’s office
recognition by society, trust to it, and, as a result, its social support is based on that information, which public receives about the prosecutor’s office.
Expediency is proved to consider the realization of a principle of transparency in the context of information support of prosecutor’s office.
Keywords: prosecutor’s office, transparency, information support, openness, publicity.
NORMATIVE REGULATION OF BASIC PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT IN TAX LEGISLATION OF UKRAINE
Authors: Selezen P.O.
Published: January 2021

The basic permanent establishment has been used in the texts of bilateral double taxation treaties since the conclusion of the first ones in the second half of the XIX century. The article is aimed at the characterization of normative regulation of basic permanent establishment in the tax legislation of Ukraine in comparison with their conformity to the provisions of the OECD Model Tax Convention and its Commentaries. Reference to the OECD Model Tax Convention and its Commentaries as a basis for comparison is determined by the fact that it is a recognized and widely used source of interpretation of the provisions of double taxation treaties including the treaties concluded by Ukraine. The comparison of the provisions of the Tax Code of Ukraine and the OECD Model Tax Convention points out the existence of inconsistencies that might have a negative influence on the efficiency of the concept of a permanent establishment in Ukraine and good faith realization of conventional norms on tax matters in Ukraine. There are a few proposals of changes that might help to avoid the undesirable consequences of the abovementioned differences: 1) to replace the words “permanent place of activity” on “fixed place of activity” (Art. 14(1)(143) of the Tax Code of Ukraine); 2) to add the words “but not limited to” after the word “include” at the second part of Art. 14(1)(193) of the Tax Code of Ukraine; 3) to add the words “notwithstanding the provisions of the provisions of the first part of this Article” after the words “except to services of secondment of employees” and “civil rights and duties” at the second part of Art.
14(1)(193) of Tax Code of Ukraine; 4) to provide the mechanism of realization of provisions of Art. 10 of the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent BEPS concluded in November 2016.
Keywords: permanent establishment; OECD Model Tax Convention; tax legislation; double taxation treaties; interpretation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL GENERAL COURTS IN PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS IN THE CONTEXT OF COMBATING ECONOMIC CRIME AS A THREAT TO THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF UKRAINE
Authors: Slabunova Yu.V. , Kііashko Yu.M. , Glushko M.A.
Published: January 2021

The article is devoted to the study of the importance of the activity of local general courts in protecting the rights of citizens in the context of combating economic crime as a threat to the financial stability of Ukraine. It is emphasized that these topics are extremely relevant in the current complex political and legal environment and conditions for the development and growth of the role of information and communication technologies, as well as the active course of globalization processes. It is stated that as a result of such actions, not only public financial interests are often affected, but also lead to a violation of a number of citizens’ constitutional rights. Attention is drawn to the fact that it is the local general courts, which, given their jurisdiction, play an important role in promoting the financial stability of Ukraine.
In order to ensure the comprehensiveness of scientific research, particular attention has been paid to clarifying the role of the modern state in the protection of citizens’ rights. Its undisputed importance in the issues of comprehensive promotion of the protection of citizens’ rights and the important role in the implementation of state policy in the sphere of protection of the rights and legitimate interests of the citizens of Ukraine have been clarified, given the latter’s appointment and the sovereignty of its
authorities. It is emphasized that judicial institutions play an important role in the protection of citizens’ rights. It is established that the court is the only legitimate body that administers justice in the country. Accordingly, justice ensures the fulfillment of the legal social function of the judiciary as an effective remedy, in particular from committing criminal acts in the economic sphere and other manifestations of the phenomenon of economic crime. It has been proved once again that the effectiveness of judicial protection is a basic prerequisite for effective counteraction to this phenomenon. Noted that the activity of local general courts in this area is of great importance for the protection of the violated rights. It is stated that their proper activity will contribute to the effective fulfillment of this task, satisfying the motivated demands of the society. The key activities of local general courts in protecting the rights of citizens in the context of combating economic crime as a threat to Ukraine’s financial stability are analyzed.
Keywords: judicial authorities, local general courts, citizens’ rights, economic crime, financial stability of Ukraine.
CORRECTION COEFFICIENTS WHEN APPLYING A COMPARATIVE APPROACH IN A JUDICIAL IN A JUDICIAL COMMODITY EXAMINATION
Authors: Boiko R. V. , Pavlichenko D. G.
Published: January 2021

We considered the question of the possibility of using generalized correction coefficients of the value of the object understudy in the application of the comparative approach in the judicial commodity-making expertise. Proposed variants of corrective
coefficients for simplification and acceleration of the work of forensic experts of commodity scientists, summarized and are shown in the general table. The factors are considered: – adjustments to trading, the necessity of application of which arises in the absence of reliable information about the selling prices of such property; – adjustment to the location of such property, the necessity of which applies when analyzing the current conditions for the selection of a similar object of valuation of similar property that is located and put up for sale in a region other than that in which the offense was committed. The adjustment to the appearance (condition of the goods), which is conditioned by the conditions for the selection of analogs, namely, the search for prices for such property first attention to the brand, model, and technical characteristics of research objects, and only then on the appearance of a selected analog; – adjustment for completeness, this amendment is always relevant in determining the value of research objects primarily related to criminal offenses, because not always the object of research and the object selected as such property coincide in its completeness. The question which is often raised by the court experts in their daily work in determining the value of the objects under study is proved, that this issue needs more detailed consideration and the need for scientific substantiation and systematization with the compilation of corresponding tables with generalized coefficients. The importance of solving the problem of the possibility of using generalized correction coefficients to determine the value of the investigated objects in the application of the comparative approach in the judicial commodity-making examination is substantiated.
Keywords: corrective coefficients, the market value of the property, judicial commodity examination.