bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rates and Predictors of Switching to Tenofovir alafenamide-containing ART in a nationwide cohort
Authors: Surial Bernard , Cavassini Matthias , Calmy Alexandra , Fehr Jan , Stöckle Marcel , Bernasconi Enos , Roth Bianca , Fux Christoph A. , Kovari Helen , Hansjakob Furrer , Rauch Andri , Wandeler Gilles
Published: May 2019

Background

Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-containing combinations were introduced in Switzerland after October 2016 and are recommended over tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in patients with osteoporosis or impaired renal function.

Methods

We included all participants of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study on TDF-containing antiretroviral therapy with follow-up visits after January 2016. We determined the proportion of switches from TDF to TAF overall, and among patients with risk factors for TDF toxicity, including osteoporosis, impaired renal function or marked proteinuria. We used multivariable logistic regression to explore predictors of switching from TDF to TAF.

Results

We included 5’012 patients, of whom 652 (13.0%) had risk factors for TDF toxicity. A switch from TDF to TAF was undertaken in 2’796 (55.8%) individuals overall, and in 465 (71.3%) with risk factors. Predictors of switching to TAF were male sex (adjusted odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.52), age >50 years (1.44, 1.24-1.67) and the presence of risk factors for TDF toxicity (2.21, 1.77-2.75). In contrast, patients with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based single-pill regimen (0.11, 0.09-0.13), those treated in non-tertiary centers (0.56, 0.46-0.70), as well as those with CD4 cell counts below 500/µL (0.77, 0.66-0.89) and with chronic hepatitis C infection (0.65, 0.53-0.80) were most likely to stay on TDF.

Conclusions

Over 50% of patients on TDF-containing therapy, including the majority of patients at risk for TDF toxicity, were switched to TAF within two years of its introduction in Switzerland. Individuals on NNRTI-based single-pill regimens were most likely to remain on TDF.
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy to treat congenital nasolacrimal canal dysplasia: A retrospective analysis in 40 children
Authors: Cui Yan-hui , Zhang Cheng-yue , Liu Wen , Wu Qian , Yu Gang , Li Li , Wei Wenbin
Published: May 2019

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) to treat congenital nasolacrimal canal dysplasia (CNCD). Methods: Forty children (50 eyes) with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and lacrimal bony dysplasia, including 8 with bony atresia (10 eyes) and 32 with bony stenosis (40 eyes), were recruited in this retrospective study. Standardized EN-DCR was performed in all cases. The post-operative observations included relief of symptoms, fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT), syringing of lacrimal passages and anastomotic patency under nasal endoscopy. Patients were followed up for 8-18 months. Results: The standardized EN-DCR surgery had a success (cure and improvement) rate of 100%, including a cure rate of 82% and an improvement rate of 18%. The cure rate of 40 bony nasolacrimal duct stenosis was 82.5% and 10 bony nasolacrimal duct atresia was 80%. Statistical analysis showed that nether the receipt of other treatments before surgery nor the type of bony nasolacrimal duct dysplasia affected the cure rate. No significant complications were observed during the post-operative follow-up, except for four cases (4 eyes) that suffered middle turbinate and nasal mucosal adhesion and two cases with sinusitis. Conclusions: CNCD is a type of CNLDO that does not respond to conservative and conventional treatment. EN-DCR provides a safe and effective treatment for children with CNCD. It has a high success rate with a low incidence of complications.
Interprofessional practices through fresh eyes: a qualitative analysis of medical students’ early workplace experiences
Authors: Leedham-Green Kathleen , Knight Alec , Iedema Rick
Published: May 2019

Background: Professional identities are influenced by experiences in the clinical workplace including socialisation processes that may be hidden from academic faculty and potentially divergent from formal curricula. With the current educational emphasis on complexity, preparedness for practice, patient safety and team-working it is necessary to evaluate and respond to what students are learning about interprofessional practices during their clinical placements.Methods: 394 second year medical students at a London medical school were invited to submit a short formative essay as part of their coursework describing, evaluating and reflecting on their experiences of how healthcare professionals work together. Their experiences were derived from having spent one day each week throughout the academic year in primary care and one in secondary care. We consented 311 participants and used a Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) approach to analyse these essays, creating a ‘students-eye view’ of interprofessional practices in the workplace.Results: We identified four overarching themes in students’ essays: - Theme 1: analyses of contextual factors driving team tensions including staff shortages, shifting teams, and infrastructural issues;- Theme 2: observations of hierarchical and paternalistic attitudes and behaviours; - Theme 3: respect for team members’ ability to manage and mitigate tensions and attitudes; and - Theme 4: take-forward learning including enthusiasm for quality improvement and system change.Conclusions: Students are being socialised into a complex, hierarchical, pressurised clinical workplace and experience wide variations in interprofessional behaviours and practices. They articulate a need to find constructive ways forward in the interests of staff wellbeing and patient care. We present educational recommendations including providing safe reflective spaces, using students’ lived experience as raw material for systems thinking and quality improvement, and closing the feedback loop with placement sites on behalf of students.
Metagenomic analysis of bile salt biotransformation in the human gut microbiome
Authors: Das Promi , Marcišauskas Simonas , Ji Boyang , Nielsen Jens
Published: May 2019

Background: In the biochemical milieu of human colon, bile acids act as signaling mediators between the host and its gut microbiota. Biotransformation of primary to secondary bile acids have been known to be involved in the immune regulation of human physiology. Several 16S amplicon-based studies with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) subjects were found to have an association with the level of fecal bile acids. However, a detailed investigation of all the bile acid biotransformation genes involved in the secondary bile acid metabolism has not been performed. Results: Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of the bile acid biotransformation genes and their distribution at the phyla level. Based on the analysis of shotgun metagenomes, we found that the IBD subjects harbored a significantly lower abundance of these genes compared to the healthy controls. Majority of these genes originated from Firmicutes in comparison to other phyla. From metabolomics data, we found that the IBD subjects were measured with a significantly low level of secondary bile acids and high levels of primary bile acids compared to that of the healthy controls. Conclusions: Our bioinformatics-driven approach of identifying bile acid biotransformation genes predicts the bile salt biotransformation potential in the gut microbiota of IBD subjects. The functional level of dysbiosis likely contributes to the variation in the bile acid pool. This study sets the stage to envisage potential solutions to modulate the gut microbiome with the objective to restore the bile acid pool in the gut.
High‐Throughput Field Phenotyping to Assess Irrigation Treatment Effects in Quinoa
Authors: Sankaran Sindhuja , Espinoza Carlos Zúñiga , Hinojosa Leonardo , Ma Xiaodan , Murphy Kevin
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas

Water stress in multiple quinoa varieties were introduced.

Remote sensing technologies were evaluated to assess water stress response.

Handheld and unmanned aerial system based sensors provided reliable data.

Thermal imaging data could capture stress in quinoa varieties.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a crop known for its tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought and salinity. Quinoa is also a versatile superfood, which is gluten‐free and high in protein, vitamins, nutrients, and beneficial antioxidants. Washington State University's quinoa breeding program efforts focus on identification and development of varieties that are resilient to local environmental conditions. In this study, high‐throughput phenotyping techniques were applied to evaluate the performance of quinoa varieties under different irrigation regimes. Handheld multispectral radiometer (Crop Scan), proximal sensing system using ground platform, and remote sensing with unmanned aerial system (UAS) were used to assess the performance of eight quinoa varieties under two irrigation treatments (non‐irrigated and irrigated). Crop Scan data, along with multispectral and thermal infrared images, were acquired at multiple time points at different stages of crop development during the season. In general, the normalized difference vegetation index, water band index, and green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) data extracted from Crop Scan, and GNDVI and canopy temperature data extracted from UAS were able to detect irrigation treatment effects. Comparing the spectral data acquired at multiple scales indicated that Crop Scan data were highly and significantly correlated with remote sensing data (|r| = 0.57–0.85). Rapid data acquisition and the ability to detect differences among varieties under water stress highlight the application of remote sensing techniques as a high‐throughput phenotyping tool to evaluate quinoa.
Productivity and Stability of Multi‐Species Cover Crop Mixtures in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Khan Qasim A. , McVay Kent A.
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas

Multi species cover crops provided more stable biomass yield than single species.

Grass components of cover crop mixtures were more productive than legume components.

Cover crop mixtures did not use water or nitrogen differently than single species cover crops.

Warm and cool season species within a functional group complemented each other.

Relative LER was useful criteria to select cover crops for mixture construction.

Mixed species cover crops are a relatively recent crop management method for improving soil health and cropping system sustainability. This 2‐yr study assessed the productivity and stability of cover crop mixtures with multi‐species functional groups compared with single species cover crops. Selection criteria were developed to identify suitable cover crops for a semiarid region. The study was conducted in south‐central Montana and evaluated 11 cover crop treatments which consisted of six individual species, four mixtures of these species, and a chemical‐fallow check. Biomass of cover crop mixtures was greater than single species cover crops in 2014 (p = 0.04). However, land equivalent ratio (LER) showed that cover crop mixtures did not over‐yield single species cover crops (LER ≤ 1). Cover crop mixture productivity increased where grass and taproot species were included. In contrast mixtures with legumes resulted in low overall productivity. Coefficient of variability (CV) of the functional groups was in the order of 62% > 51% > 33% for grass, taproot, and legume, respectively. Spring soil NO3–N and soil water content following cover crop mixtures were not different from single species cover crops (p > 0.05) in both years. Cover crops that produced greater biomass generally consumed more nitrogen and water. Identifying single species or mixtures with stable but acceptable biomass yield that leave greater water and soil nitrogen for the following crop is more important than maximizing biomass productivity. Species with relative LER ≥ 1 performed well within a mixture and provided a useful criterion for mixture construction.
Biomass Production and Soil Carbon Analysis of Switchgrass under Rainfed or Minimal Irrigation in a Semiarid Environment
Authors: Wang Limei , Qian Y.L. , Brummer Joe , Wilhelm S.J. , Leach Jan E.
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas

In this study, switchgrass grew well on marginally saline soil with limited irrigation.

The southern‐origin cultivars had greater biomass yield than the northern cultivars.

Irrigation increased above and below ground biomass, but not soil C and N content.

Switchgrass had the potential to sequester C into the soil.

Limited information is available on switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) productivity in semiarid environments. A field experiment was conducted in semiarid Colorado, with the objectives were to determine: 1) aboveground biomass production of six upland switchgrass cultivars, and 2) soil organic carbon content of two switchgrass cultivars grown on a marginally saline soil under rainfed and minimal irrigation conditions. The experiment was a split plot design with rainfed vs. minimal irrigation treatment as the main plot and six cultivars [three southern cultivars (Blackwell, Pathfinder, and Trailblazer) and three northern cultivars (Sunburst, Forestburg, and Dacotah)] as subplot with three replications. Aboveground biomass for the six cultivars ranged from 1.1 to 7.8 Mg ha−1yr−1 in the establishment year, and 3.2–9.3 and 3.3–11.7 Mg ha−1yr−1 under rainfed and minimally irrigated conditions, respectively, during the following three stand years. Minimal irrigation (mean annual irrigation water of 21 cm) increased biomass yield compared to the rainfed control. Southern‐origin cultivars produced more biomass than the northern lines under both rainfed and minimal irrigation. Four years after establishment, within the top 0.6 m of soil, irrigation increased root biomass, with averages of 9.9 and 5.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1 for irrigation and rainfed treatments, respectively. Soil organic carbon accumulated rapidly at 0–20 cm soil depth in Blackwell and Pathfinder plots, at the rates of 1.07–1.36 Mg C ha−1 yr−1. Switchgrass growth in the semiarid environment was improved with limited supplemental irrigation and had the potential to sequester C into soil.
Agronomic Management of Malting Barley and Research Needs to Meet Demand by the Craft Brew Industry
Authors: Shrestha Raj K. , Lindsey Laura E.
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas

Agronomic management and environment affect malting barley yield and quality.

Most agronomic guidelines are from the Northwest and Northern Rockies and Plains.

Breweries in the Upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Northeast want local grain.

Research on cropping sequence, seeding date and rate, and N management is needed.

Malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) requires agronomic management that maximizes grain yield while meeting quality standards. The majority of published literature on agronomic management of malting barley is from the US Northwest and Northern Rockies and Plains where barley is traditionally grown. However, the majority of craft breweries are located in the Upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Northeast, creating a demand for locally sourced grain. The objectives of this review were to: (i) summarize the current body of knowledge regarding agronomic management of malting barley, and (ii) identify research needs in the Upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Northeast. Across all regions, planting date and N management were major factors influencing grain yield and quality. Timely planting of malting barley generally improved yield and quality. Barley yield tended to increase with N application rate while quality decreased due to increased protein concentration. Planting malting barley following corn (Zea mays L.) or small grains resulted in disease problems that could affect grain quality and yield. In the Upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Northeast regions, the prospect of double crop soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production after winter malting barley should be investigated, in addition to typical cropping sequences. Agronomic strategies to mitigate the negative effects of late‐planting situations are also needed as these regions often have delayed planting due to wet soil conditions. Furthermore, N fertilizer management is much different in humid regions compared with the Northwest and Northern Rockies and Plains, and warrants future research on developing in‐season N management strategies.
Characterizing Organic Carbon Storage in Experimental Agricultural Ditch Systems in Northeast Arkansas
Authors: Iseyemi Oluwayinka , Farris Jerry L. , Moore Matthew T. , Green V. Steven , Locke Martin A. , Choi Seo-eun
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas

Agricultural drainage ditches can be considered as carbon sinks.

Agricultural ditches can provide an optimum environment for carbon sequestration.

Soil topography influences spatial carbon storage within wetlands.

Soil bulk densities influence carbon storage in wetlands.

Agricultural ditches are capable of many ecological functions, including flood control and edge of field nutrient filtration. This study investigated the potential for carbon sequestration within mowed and unmowed experimental conventional and controlled (with weirs) agricultural drainage ditches. The study analyzed and compared spatial and temporal variation in soil organic carbon (OC) concentration (g C kg–1) and OC pool (kg C m–2) within a 3‐cm soil depth between treatments. Soil OC concentrations were quantified through combustion of organic matter (OM) at 400°C in a muffle furnace for 16 h using the loss on ignition (LOI) method. Soil bulk density was also determined for each ditch treatment. In both summer and winter, mean soil C concentration in ditches with weirs was similar to mean soil C concentration in ditches with no weirs (16.68 ± 0.49 vs. 16.47 ± 0.46 g C kg–1 in summer; 14.47 ± 0.75 vs. 16.27 ± 0.72 g C kg–1 in winter). Similar bulk densities (0.67 Mg m–3, on average) and OC contents in ditches furnished comparable C pools in ditches with weirs and no weirs respectively (28.08 ± 0.75 vs. 27.88 ± 0.68 kg C m–2 in summer; 26.44 ± 1.56 vs. 30.24 ± 1.40 g C kg–1 in winter). The studied drainage ditches can therefore be considered for their contributions to the C sink, given the high values of C pool observed in the ditch treatments. This suggests agricultural drainage ditches can offer a suitable environment for C sequestration.
Plant Species and Hydrology as Controls on Constructed Wetland Methane Fluxes
Authors: Silvey Cain , Jarecke Karla M. , Hopfensperger Kristine , Loecke Terrance D. , Burgin Amy J.
Published: May 2019

Core Ideas

Wetland plant species and site hydrology affect methane fluxes.

Plant species effects were clearer under stable hydrology in mesocosm experiments.

Species was not as important as the long‐term saturation pattern under variable field hydrologic conditions.

Plants which emit methane under isolated mesocosm conditions do not necessarily do so under field conditions.

Water table height and fluctuation may be a more dominant control over methane fluxes in wetland soils.

Wetlands are the largest natural source of atmospheric methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas. Hydrology and species composition are important controls on wetland CH4emissions. Few studies target interactive effects on CH4fluxes, but rather study variables in isolation. Therefore, we asked: How do hydrology and plant species interact to affect CH4fluxes from wetland soils? We measured CH4fluxes under stable water tables in mesocosms planted withAsclepias incarnataL. and mesocosms planted withAlisma trivialePursh. We then tested the interactive effects in saturated and unsaturated restored field locations by measuring CH4fluxes from the plants and the surrounding soil. In mesocosms, CH4fluxes fromA. incarnatawere 8‐fold greater than fluxes from control (no plant) orA. trivialemesocosms.Alisma trivialemesocosms had higher CO2to CH4ratio (less methanogenic dominance) than control mesocosms but did not differ significantly fromA. incarnatamesocosms. In the field, hydrology was the dominant control of CH4flux; both plant species produced approximately 10‐fold more CH4in saturated plots than in unsaturated plots. Incorporating hydrology and species composition into modeling will better predict CH4fluxes from wetland soils, which in turn could aid in designing restored wetlands that offset greenhouse gas emissions.
Antioxidant assays by reducing potential and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging techniques as affected by pH and ion concentrations
Authors: Oso Babatunde J. , Ogidi Clement O.
Published: May 2019

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of varying pH and different metal ion concentrations on the analyses of antioxidants by reducing potential (RP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging techniques. The investigation was conducted by examining the effects of various pH values (4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and potassium chloride concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ug/mL) on the optical densities of reducing potential and DPPH radical scavenging potential of aqueous infusions of Cassia alata (L.) Roxb. The determinations were also conducted on the extraction media with the intention of identifying the probable source of variation in the investigation. The antioxidant potentials for both the aqueous infusion and media were most efficient at the least pH 4.0. Moreover, the antioxidant potentials decrease as the ion concentrations increase. The study revealed that the colorimetric methods for the determinations of DPPH radical scavenging and RP could be liable to errors arising from slight changes in acidity and concentrations of the metal ions thus affecting the performance characteristics in terms of repeatability and reproducibility of reports and meaningful comparisons of antioxidant capacity of dietary products among different authors.
Immunohistochemical localization of adropin in the small intestine of rats
Authors: PAWŁOWSKA-OLSZEWSKA MARTA , PUZIO IWONA , KAPICA MAŁGORZATA , TYMICKI. GRZEGORZ , ŚLEBODA WIESŁAW , WÓJCIK MICHAŁ , ŚMIECH ANNA
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and distribution of adropin in the small intestine in control and gastrectomized rats. The study was carried out on 12 Wistar rats. Six control rats (SHO) underwent a sham operation. Six rats were subjected to gastrectomy (Gx); i.e. resection of the antrum and the glandular part of the stomach. Six weeks after the surgery, the rats were sacrificed. The duodenum and middle part of the jejunum were collected for immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence procedures. An immunopositive reaction to ADR was detected in the duodenum and jejunum, in crypts, and in enterocytes located along the entire length of the villi. Furthermore, more intense ADR immunoreactivity was observed in the crypts and villi of the duodenum than in the jejunum. The presence of adropin was also detected in the submucosa and muscularis externa of the duodenum and jejunum, in the cells of Brunner’s gland of the duodenum, and in myenteric and submucosal plexus nerve. The ADR immunoreactivity in the crypts and villi in the duodenum and jejunum was lower in the Gx rats compared to the SHO rats. The ADR distribution in the duodenum and jejunum has also been confirmed in immunofluorescence studies. In conclusion, our data demonstrated ADR expression in all histological layers of the small intestine in the rats. Gx reduced ADR immunoreactivity in the crypts and enterocytes. This may suggest a potential impact of ADR on intestine function such as absorbability and immune reactions. However, further research is needed to explain the ADR role in gastrointestinal functions
GOOD PERFORMANCE IMAGES ENCRYPTION USING SELECTIVE BIT T-DES ON INVERTED LSB STEGANOGRAPHY
Authors: Sari Christy Atika , Rachmawanto Eko Hari , Kusuma Edi Jaya
Published: May 2019

Transmitting image through the internet needs to be secured because of risk to be stolen. Security techniques that can be used for securing data especially image are cryptography and steganography. Combine these techniques can provide double protection in image security. In this research, we proposed the used of T-DES encryption with a selective bit to improve the time performance because time aspect is one of the important aspects of data transmission process. Four MSB of the secret image will be selected, then it will be encrypted using T-DES. After that, this encrypted results will be combined with other 4 LSB. This encryption scheme result will be embedded into a cover image using inverted LSB because inverted LSB can produce high imperceptible value. From 6 testing images which encrypted using proposed scheme present that proposed encryption scheme is twice faster than classic triple DES and slightly faster than double DES. While the embedding scheme can produce PSNR value above 40 dB with the range between 51 dB to 61 dB as well as SSIM which close to 1. This result denoted that proposed scheme generated good quality of stego images.
Antioxidant Activity and Flavonoids Identification by LC-MS/MS Analysis in Leaf Extract from Trattinnickia rhoifolia Willd
Authors: Magalhaes Lilian Marigo , Sinhorin Valeria Dornelles Gindri , Souza Camila Cristina Pereira de , Bicudo Rogério de Campos , Sinhorin Adilson Paulo
Published: May 2019

The objectives of this work were to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities in the oxidative stress model induced by paracetamol in male Swiss mice, to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic action and to identify flavonoids in the leaves ethanolic extract from Trattinnickia rhoifolia. By the LC-MS / MS method, eight flavonoids were identified in the hydromethanolic (HM) and ethyl acetate (EA) fractions, except for Amentoflavone, the flavonoids Apigenin, Canferol, Luteolin, Quercetin, Quercetin-3-β-d-glucoside, Rutin and Taxifoline were identified for the first time in this species. These fractions were evaluated for antioxidant capacity (DPPH test) and their protective effect in vivo through the analysis of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-s-transferase, non-protein thiols, ascorbic acid, TBARS and carbonylated proteins. The data showed that EA has antioxidant capacity and superior oxidative stress repair in chemical and biological analyzes, besides hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic action. Thus, the present work contributes significantly to the literature, since it is the first study that identifies the chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of leaves extract from T. rhoifolia.
Genes, Genética e Determinismo: O Caso dos Transgênicos na Agricultura
Authors: Bianconi Fernandes Gabriel , Malaquias Costa Flaviane , Silva Natália Carolina de Almeida , Vidal Rafael
Published: May 2019

Muito se argumenta que as culturas transgênicas são mais seguras e desenvolvidas de forma mais precisa que as demais sementes cultivadas. Isso porque as técnicas de biotecnologia moderna permitem que apenas genes de interesse sejam “recortados” dos organismos doadores e “colados” nas plantas receptoras. Sendo assim, a partir do ponto de vista epistemológico, buscar-se entender esses jargões emprestados da informática e sua capacidade de desvelar a dinâmica desses novos organismos e suas potenciais implicações para a saúde e o meio ambiente. Para tanto faz-se um breve histórico da evolução das ideias sobre os genes e suas funções, explorando suas implicações do ponto de vista da biossegurança e os resultados obtidos após 20 anos de uso comercial dessas plantas. Conclui-se que a indústria de sementes sustenta conceitos ultrapassados sobre genes e disso depende para justificar patentes biotecnológicas e níveis simplificados de regulação e de avaliações de risco.
Filamentous Fungi as Promising Agents for the Biodegradation of Biosolids Compounds
Authors: Naves Laiza Rosa , Da Silva Lucas Leonardo , Da Cunha Elida Lucia , De Almeida Verediana Fiorentin Rosa , De Sá Antônio Sérgio Ferreira , Sena Brenda Letícia , Moreira Izabel Cristina , Dos Santos Solange Xavier
Published: May 2019

Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) generate pasty wastes, known biosolids, which can be toxic and recalcitrant, motivating studies aiming at their degradation. Filamentous fungi were investigated to degradation of biosolids from a WWTP in the Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. All grew in the presence of biosolids, being inhibited by increase in concentration, except SXS629, which increased proportionally to the concentration. All grew in the middle with biosolids at the original pH (10.5), although the correction (6.8) provided higher growth. Except SXS90, the others (SXS37, SXS615 and SXS628) degraded the biosolid, growing in medium containing biosolids as the only source of carbon; highlighting SXS628, whose growth in the biosolids exceeded the control. All evaluated isolates synthesize at least two prospected enzymes, especially SXS630 and SXS634, which synthesize all (carboxymethyl cellulase, tannase, polyphenoloxidase). This shows the potential use of these isolates (combined or not) in biotechnological processes aiming at the degradation of biosolids, especially SXS37.
Análise do Gerenciamento dos Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos nas Capitais da Região Centro-Oeste a Partir do Método Zero Waste Index
Authors: Cardoso Mikaela Soares Silva , Nascimento Elimar Pinheiro do , Zaneti Izabel Cristina Bruno Bacellar , Pineda Francisco Javier Contreras
Published: May 2019

O adequado gerenciamento dos Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos (RSU) traz benefícios econômicos e socioambientais. O objetivo foi analisar o gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos gerados de 2005 a 2015 em Brasília, Goiânia, Campo Grande e Cuiabá a partir do método Zero Waste Index (ZWI). O ZWI avalia a eficiência do gerenciamento dos RSUs conforme o tipo de manejo: a reciclagem traz impactos positivos, fazendo o índice ZWI aumentar. Já a disposição dos resíduos, sem tratamento, em aterros gera impactos negativos e faz o ZWI diminuir. O valor de ZWI varia de 0 a 1: 0 indica um gerenciamento totalmente ineficiente e 1 representa a máxima eficiência. O maior valor de ZWI encontrado foi em Goiânia no ano de 2013 (0,0912). Os valores de ZWI nas quatro capitais foram muito próximos a 0, indicando baixa eficiência do gerenciamento, uma vez que a maior parte dos resíduos sólidos foi disposto em aterros ou lixões.
Performance of Fetal Medicine Foundation Software for Pre-Eclampsia Prediction Upon Marker Customization: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Rezende Karina Bilda De Castro , Cunha Antonio José Ledo Alves , Amim Jr Joffre , Oliveira Wescule De Moraes , Leão Maria Eduarda Belloti , Menezes Mariana Oliveira Alves , Jardim Ana Alice Marques Ferraz De Andrade , Bornia Rita Guérios
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

FMF2012 is an algorithm developed by the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) to predict pre-eclampsia on the basis of maternal characteristics combined with biophysical and biochemical markers. Afro-Caribbean ethnicity is the second risk factor, in magnitude, found in populations tested by FMF, which was not confirmed in a Brazilian setting.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the performance of pre-eclampsia prediction software by customization of maternal ethnicity.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional observational study, with secondary evaluation of data from FMF first trimester screening tests of singleton pregnancies. Risk scores were calculated from maternal characteristics and biophysical markers, and they were presented as the risk for early pre-eclampsia (PE34) and preterm pre-eclampsia (PE37). The following steps were followed: (1) identification of women characterized as black ethnicity; (2) calculation of early and preterm pre-eclampsia risk, reclassifying them as white, which generated a new score; (3) comparison of the proportions of women categorized as high risk between the original and new scores; (4) construction of the receiver operator characteristic curve; (5) calculation of the area under the curve, sensitivity, and false positive rate; and (6) comparison of the area under the curve, sensitivity, and false positive rate of the original with the new risk by chi-square test.

RESULTS

A total of 1531 cases were included in the final sample, with 219 out of 1531 cases (14.30; 95% CI 12.5-16.0) and 182 out of 1531 cases (11.88%; 95% CI 10.3-13.5) classified as high risk for pre-eclampsia development, originally and after recalculating the new risk, respectively. The comparison of FMF2012 predictive model performance between the originally estimated risks and the estimated new risks showed that the difference was not significant for sensitivity and area under the curve, but it was significant for false positive rate.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that black ethnicity classification of Brazilian pregnant women by the FMF2012 algorithm increases the false positive rate. Suppressing ethnicity effect did not improve the test sensitivity. By modifying demographic characteristics, it is possible to improve some performance aspects of clinical prediction tests.
The Influence of Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor Gene Polymorphisms on Albuterol Therapy for Patients With Asthma: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Hikino Keiko , Kobayashi Shinobu , Ota Erika , Mushiroda Taisei , Kobayashi Tohru
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Albuterol is one of the most frequently used medications in clinical practice and seeing varying responses to albuterol between individuals is not uncommon. Multiple studies have been conducted to investigate the associations of differing responses due to albuterol, particularly with regards to the two nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions 16 (Arg16Gly: substitution of arginine to glycine at position 16; rs1042713) and 27 (Glu27Gln: substitution of glutamic acid to glutamine at position 27; rs1042714) on the β-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene. However, the directions of the correlations are conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the effect of the two SNPs on the ADRB2 gene, in terms of the responses that present in asthmatic patients shortly after albuterol inhalation.

METHODS

The primary outcome of this work is a detailed study of the associations of the two SNPs in the ADRB2 gene with treatment response and lung function testing shortly after administration of albuterol to asthmatic patients. A comprehensive literature search, using the OVID platform, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, will be conducted by a specialized librarian without language restrictions. We will include both prospective and retrospective original observational studies, and we will exclude nonhuman or in vitro studies. All abstracts will be reviewed by two authors who will also individually perform data extraction from each eligible study. Any arising disagreements will be resolved through discussion with a third party. Risk of bias for all included studies will be independently assessed using the quality of genetic association studies tool. We will report the systematic review and meta-analysis, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. A narrative synthesis of study results or meta-analyses will be undertaken when appropriate.

RESULTS

At the moment of writing, we have already started the preliminary literature search and piloting of the study selection process. The anticipated completion date is September 30, 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review and meta-analysis aims to clarify the current evidence of associations between the two nonsynonymous SNPs in the ADRB2 gene and the responses that present in asthmatic patients shortly after albuterol inhalation. If positive correlations are found, this knowledge may be used to improve personalized pharmacotherapy of albuterol use.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO CRD42019074554; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=74554

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/14759
Early Glomerular Hyperfiltration and Long-Term Kidney Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Molitch Mark E. , Gao Xiaoyu , Bebu Ionut , de Boer Ian H. , Lachin John , Paterson Andrew , Perkins Bruce , Saenger Amy K. , Steffes Michael , Zinman Bernard ,   for the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) Research Group
Published: May 2019

Background and objectives

Glomerular hyperfiltration has been considered to be a contributing factor to the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). To address this issue, we analyzed GFR follow-up data on participants with type 1 diabetes undergoing 125I-iothalamate clearance on entry into the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This was a cohort study of DCCT participants with type 1 diabetes who underwent an 125I-iothalamate clearance (iGFR) at DCCT baseline. Presence of hyperfiltration was defined as iGFR levels ≥140 ml/min per 1.73 m2, with secondary thresholds of 130 or 150 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Cox proportional hazards models assessed the association between the baseline hyperfiltration status and the subsequent risk of reaching an eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2.

Results

Of the 446 participants, 106 (24%) had hyperfiltration (iGFR levels ≥140 ml/min per 1.73 m2) at baseline. Over a median follow-up of 28 (interquartile range, 23, 33) years, 53 developed an eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. The cumulative incidence of eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at 28 years of follow-up was 11.0% among participants with hyperfiltration at baseline, compared with 12.8% among participants with baseline GFR <140 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Hyperfiltration was not significantly associated with subsequent risk of developing an eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 in an unadjusted Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.43 to 1.62) nor in an adjusted model (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.38 to 1.54). Application of alternate thresholds to define hyperfiltration (130 or 150 ml/min per 1.73 m2) showed similar findings.

Conclusions

Early hyperfiltration in patients with type 1 diabetes was not associated with a higher long-term risk of decreased GFR. Although glomerular hypertension may be a mechanism of kidney injury in DKD, higher total GFR does not appear to be a risk factor for advanced DKD.
Research on the Innovation of Ideological and Political Education of Grassroots Units from the Perspective of Strong Military Dreams in China
Authors: Yan Jing
Published: May 2019

Current continuously with profound and complex changes in the international pattern, the deepening of economic globalization, political multi-polarization continues to strengthen, the international security problem is increasingly complex, socialist modernization construction in China is entering a new eriod, the party’s 19 big army blue prin, draw the outline of the new era of weapons dream is the great ejuvenation of the Chinese nation important based on the Chinese dream, the army ideological and political education work is an important part of military construction work, a strong army must need to have a firm’s soul and faith as the support, grassroots units of the ideological and political education work is facing the international and domestic new opportunities, new challenges, The defects of the traditional ideological and political education are increasingly prominent, and the effectiveness of the ideological and political education work in the grassroots army cannot be well improved. The ideological and political education work innovation of layer army is imperative.
LITERASI NUMERASI SISWA DALAM PEMECAHAN MASALAH TIDAK TERSTRUKTUR
Authors: Mahmud Muhammad Rifqi , Pratiwi Inne Marthyane
Published: May 2019

This study aims to explore the numeracy literacy of students in ill-structured problem-solving on the matter of numbers. This study involved 34 students of the 4th grader in one Madrasah Ibtidaiyah in Bandung. The research approach used is qualitative with the case study method. The type of data collected is test results about ill structured problem-solving. The data were collected from tests, document analysis, and interviews. After that, the data were analysed using thematic analysis, while the validity of data using triangulation, member checking, and reflexivity. The results of the research showthat students' numeracy literacy in ill structured problem-solving are (1) students are able to solve ill structured problem in the context of daily life; (2) students are able to analyze the information obtained from the problem then use the interpretation analysis to predict and draw conclusions. The difficulties experienced by students are (1) the difficulty in understanding the problem; (2) lack of students' understanding of the prerequisite material; (3) the difficulty in developing a settlement strategy; and (4) the difficulty in drawing conclusions.
Gender and science in animation: analysis of the Anima Mundi Festival films
Authors: Reznik Gabriela , Massarani Luisa
Published: May 2019

We used content analysis to analyse the representation of female scientists in animated short films on gender and science, selected from the Anima Mundi Festival, over 21 annual editions. In these films, female scientists are featured as ‘intelligent’, ‘dominant’ and ‘well respected’, adult, white, wearing a lab coat or uniform and working in laboratories and fieldwork. We identified a reconfiguration of the gender stereotype in films in which the female character is about to gain space and visibility. We also analysed films whose sexist foundations in the relationship between scientists and their interlocutors reinforce the reproduction of sexist and heteronormative stereotypes.
How to become a system integrator streamlining vegetable supply chains: the case of Songxiaocai Company
Authors: Yao Yanfei , Jia Fu , Fu Wenhui , Guo Hongdong
Published: May 2019

The traditional vegetable supply chain in China has many weaknesses, both in the upstream and downstream parts. To change this situation, Songxiaocai Company, a B2B trading platform for vegetables, innovatively solved the problems in the traditional vegetable supply chain by designing an ICT-enabled, demand-driven supply chain underpinned by an advanced ICT architecture design. However, with the expansion of business, Songxiaocai is also facing some difficult challenges. This teaching case shows the supply chain and business model innovations of Songxiaocai, provides a vivid example of how a platform company provides end-to-end supply chain service and can be used to teach graduate/postgraduate students specializing in agricultural economics, agricultural e-commerce and vegetable supply chain management.
Analisis Sosiogram untuk Penentuan Agen Perubahan; Studi Kasus pada Program Desa Sehat Berdaya
Authors: Laksono Agung Dwi , Megatsari Hario , Ridlo Ilham Akhsanu , Yoto Muhammad , Azizah Arsya Nur , Jabbar Nabigh Abdul , Ainurrohman Muhammad
Published: May 2019

Program Desa Sehat Berdaya lebih menekankan pada kegiatan promotif dan preventif yang berorientasi menjaga dan meningkatkan status kesehatan masyarakat di desa dengan pendekatan pemberdayaan masyarakat. Dalam pelaksanaannya, program ini perlu untuk mengidentifikasi Agen Perubahan, agar program pemberdayaan masyarakat yang dijalankan dapat berjalan dengan lancar dan diterima oleh masyarakat. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mendapatkan gambaran proses penentuan agen perubahan melalui sosiogram. Penelitian didesain secara kualitatif deskriptif. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan metode observasi partisipatif dan wawancara mendalam. Selama pengumpulan data peneliti tinggal dan berbaur dengan masyarakat selama 3 bulan. Penelitian dilakukan di tiga desa wilayah Kecamatan Kalipare. Hasil penelitian menemukan bahwa agen perubahan yang terpilih dari ragam latar belakang yang berbeda. Di Desa Sumber Petung terpilih seorang mantan lurah, Desa Arjosari terpilih seorang tenaga kesehatan, dan Desa Kali Asri terpilih seorang ketua Penggerak PKK. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa agen perubahan dapat ditentukan dengan bantuan analisis sosiogram. Analisis sosiogram menentukan agen perubahan bisa dengan latar belakang tokoh yang sangat berbeda, semuanya ditentukan berdasar pada penerimaan masyarakat sebagai sasaran.
Pengaruh curah hujan, kelembaban, dan temperatur terhadap prevalensi Malaria di Kabupaten Tanah Bumbu Kalimantan Selatan
Authors: Sulasmi Sri , Setyaningtyas Dian Eka , Rosanji Akhmad , Rahayu Nita
Published: May 2019

Malaria is one of contagious disease which is still a crucial matter in Indonesia. Malaria disease control is being done by decreasing the number of malaria case gradually. South Kalimantan is one of high malaria prevalence province. Malaria cases occur nearly every month with significant raise of malaria occurence on May, October to July. This research intend to know the effect of rainfall, temperature and humidity on to occurence of Malaria case. This is a descriptive research, using secondary data of rainfall, temperature and humidity from Meteorology and Geophysics Board of Banjarbaru and Malaria case of Tanah Bumbu District data within 10 years term. This research shows that rainfall does effect the occurence of Malaria. Temperatur  and humidity does effect the occurence of Malaria.

This result showed that rainfall does effect raise of mosquito density. Temperature does effect on mosquito density at 26,5 – 27 degree celcius. Humidity does effect on mosquito density at 85-87 percent. This research concludes that climate variable change does not directly effect raise of case.
Prevalensi Antibodi IgG dan DNA Cytomegalovirus pada darah donor di unit transfusi darah Provinsi DKI Jakarta
Authors: Noviar Ganjar , Ritchie Ni Ken , Bela Budiman , Soedarmono Yuyun SM
Published: May 2019

Indonesia has not conduct regular screening test of CMV infection due to the lack of seropositive prevelance data information. However, seronegative CMV results is not an indicator of safe blood for transfusion, so that another test that serves as confirmation test for CMV DNA is required.  The aim of this study is to obtain prevalence data of CMV IgG antibody positive, the prevalence of CMV DNA positive and to determine the effect of CMV IgG titers against CMV DNA in blood donors in UTD PMI DKI Jakarta. Cross-sectional method was used to test 113 blood donor samples which have met inclusion criteria. Screening for CMV IgG antibody was held using indirect method chemiluminescence immunoassay (ChLIA) by Liason® XL 10050 Chemiluminescence Analyzer and CMV DNA analysis using qPCR method for the detection of CMV UL 54 with a tool Roche Light Cycler 480 II. Results indicate positive prevalence of IgG CMV in 111 samples (98.23%),  and negative CMV IgG in  2 samples (1.77%).  Prevalence of CMV DNA positive donors is one sample (0.88%), 112 negative CMV DNA samples (99.12%) and Fisher's test results {P (0.982)> α (0.05)} showed no significant association between CMV IgG status with CMV DNA.  CONCLUSIONS: UTD DKI Jakarta has a high prevalence of CMV IgG with low prevalence of CMV DNA.