bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial Effects of Palm Wine (Elaeis guineensis) on Salmonella typhi Isolated from Different Sources
Authors: Ojo O. C. , Agboola S. A.
Published: November 2019

Background: Palm wine is a traditional alcoholic beverage produce by natural fermentation of the sap of palm trees. Palm wine is normally use traditionally for the extraction of active ingredients from leaves, barks and stems of some medicinal search for new antimicrobial agents. The discovery of new antimicrobial agents from different sources such as microorganisms, animals, plants and plant products has been the major challenge of researchers.

Aims: This research work is to investigate the antibacterial effects of palm wine (Elaeis guineensis) on Salmonella typhi isolated from different sources.

Study Design: The samples were collected overnight from palm trees (E. guineensis). And it was assayed for antibacterial activity on S. typhi isolated from different sources using Agar well diffusion method. The effect of dilution and fermentation duration of the palm wines on isolated S. typhi was also determined. Palm wine (E. guineensis) inhibited S. typhi isolated, with diameter zones of inhibition ranging from 6.33±0.67 to 39.33±0.33 mm respectively. Palm wine from both palm trees was found to be more active against S. typhi than the conventional antibiotics (Chloramphenicol, Amoxycillin, Gentamycin and Ciprofloxacin) used, with diameter zones of inhibition ranging from 1.00± 0.33 to 20.67±0.57. The greatest inhibitory effect was on S. typhi isolated from well water (6.67± 0.31 to 44.67± 0.67 mm), while the least effect was on S. typhi isolated from an apparently healthy individual with inhibition ranging from 7.33±0.33 to 29.67± 0.33 mm. Also, the growth inhibitory effects of both palm wines on all S. typhi isolates used increased with increase in period of fermentation with diameter zones of inhibition ranging from 15.67±0.67 to 44.33 ± 0.33 mm for palm wine from R. vinifera and 6.33±0.33to 39.33±0.33 mm for palm wine from E. guineensis.

Conclusion: The discovery of new antimicrobial agents from different sources such as microorganisms, animals, plants and plant products has been the major challenge of researchers. It is conceivable therefore that palm wine subjected to natural fermentation could be used to treat infections caused by S. typhi that is typhoid fever.
In vitro Study on Anti-salmonella Activities of Boerhaavia diffusa (L. syn) Leaf Extract
Authors: Oluwabusayo Ologun, , Oluyemi Dada, Ebenezer , Oluyemi Ajayi, Kehinde
Published: November 2019

Various strategies have been employed in the treatment and management of Salmonella infection however, Salmonella strains have gained resistance to antibiotics. This study was to determine in vitro anti-Salmonella activity of Boerhaavia diffusa leaf extract against clinical isolate of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella typhi ATCC 14028. The aqueous and ethanol extracts of B. diffusa were studied for their antibacterial activity against pathogenic Salmonella typhi. This study was carried out between April and September 2018. The in vitro antibacterial activity was performed by agar well diffusion method and broth dilution using spectrophotometric method and the results were expressed as the average diameter of zone of inhibition of bacterial growth around the well and optical density respectively. It was observed that aqueous extract exerted slightly higher activity than ethanolic extract as revealed by the mean diameter of zone of inhibitions at a concentration of 200 mg/ml, the aqueous extract had 35.21±0.47 mm (Salmonella typhi ATCC 14028) compared with ethanol extract 26.41±0.32 mm (clinical). However, in the broth dilution method, ethanol extract significantly (p=0.05) reduced the cell, at 48 hours, the optical density of clinical isolate of S. typhi treated at concentration of 200 mg/ml of extract was 0.47±0.02 nm while at the same concentration of extract, aqueous extract had an optical density of 0.52±0.11 nm respectively. The phytochemical assay revealed that tannin (5.18±0.02 mg/g) and quinone (8.45±0.13 mg/g) in ethanol extract was significantly (p=0.05) higher than aqueous extract while saponin (14.18±0.06 mg/g) was higher in the aqueous extract. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of B. diffusa whole plant exhibited significant antibacterial activity against both clinical and typed Salmonella typhi. Therefore, the plant extract could be used for the treatment of Salmonellosis, however, the in vivo studies is needed to ascertain the safety of the extract.
Antibiotic Profile of Staphylococcus aureus on Table Eggs from Ezrad Farms in Iwo Area of Osun State
Authors: Joseph A. Famubo, , Bunmi B. Oladunjoye, , Vitoria O. Ogunfowora,
Published: November 2019

Surface swabs of the table eggs were carried out using sterile swab sticks. These were inoculated on Mannitol Salt Agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The isolates obtained were morphologically and biochemically characterized. 62% of the isolates obtained were identified as Staphylococcus aureus. 0.5 McFarland standard of each Staphylococcus aureus isolate was subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test on Muller Hinton Agar using the disc diffusion method. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by observing and measuring clear zones in millimetres. The antibiogram pattern of Staphylococcus aureus on the surface of table eggs from Ezrad farms located in Iwo, Osun State was investigated. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were 100% resistant to Augmentin and Cloxacillin while resistance to Ceftazidime, Erythromycin, Gentamycin, Ofloxacin, Cefuroxime and Ceftriaxone were at 96%, 89%, 86%, 82%, 75% and 57% respectively. This study shows high resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from eggshells to antibiotics which could pose a serious health problem.
Antibacterial Activity of Fermenting Unripe Pawpaw Parts (Carica papaya) against Some Enteric Bacteria
Authors: Fasoyinu B. T. , Oyetayo O. V. , Ajayi A. T.
Published: November 2019

This research work was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activity of fermenting Carica papaya parts on some enteric organisms and their proximate and phytochemical screening. The unripe Carica papaya parts used were obtained from the Federal University of Technology Akure and the test organisms used are clinical isolates gotten from State Specialist Hospital, Akure. The unripe Carica papaya was separated into the leaves, peel, pulp and seed. It was then soaked in distilled water in separate fermenting jars for seven days. The following readings were taken daily; pH, titratable acidity while the Antibacterial effect of the fermenting slurry was monitored on day 1, 3, 5 and 7, using the agar well diffusion method. The result obtained showed that the pH decreases while the titratable acidity increases daily respectively. The zones of inhibition observed in the isolates were highest on day 3 and day 5, showing that the water from the fermenting unripe Carica papaya is more effective against the enteric isolates used for this research on day 3 and day 5. Therefore, water from fermenting unripe Carica papaya parts may be effective in treating infections from enteric organisms on day 3 and day 5. The peel and pulp were observed to be more effective while the seed had no antibacterial activity. Phytochemical analysis showed that the plant parts contained these active ingredients at various concentrations; alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides and phenols.
Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Screening of Gnetum Africanum Stem and Root
Authors: Akin-Osanaiye B. C. , Ekpeyong E. J. , W. Olobayotan I.
Published: November 2019

The menace of antibiotic resistance and the antecedent evolution of innocuous microbes into superbugs is an epidemic of global concern. This study investigated the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of hexane and methanol extracts of Gnetum africanum stem and root, on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi and Aspergillus flavus. Stem and roots of G. africanum were extracted with hexane and methanol using cold maceration technique; standardized chemical tests were employed for phytochemical screening and the agar-well diffusion method used for antimicrobial analysis. The results of phytochemical screening G. africanum showed that all the following tested phytochemicals which include steroid, tannins, and saponins were present in both methanol and hexane extracts of G. africanum while flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides and carbohydrate were absent in both the methanol and hexane extracts. Anthraquinone was present in hexane extract but absent in methanolic extract of G. africanum. Both the stem and root of G. africanum had antimicrobial effects on all the test organisms but the effect of the stem was higher than that of the root. Findings indicate that both extracts had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus, with maximum inhibition zones of 17.50 mm and 16.00 mm at 500 mg/ml for hexane and methanol extracts, respectively. The stem and root extracts of hexane and methanol were inactive against A. flavus. The findings of this study further reinforce the importance of G. africanum stem and root in traditional healthcare practice and its use in culinary. Further investigation is however needed to isolate and purify the bioactive antimicrobial principles for potential development into generic antimicrobials.
Secular trends in weight, stature, and body mass index in Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Scott Shelby , Patriquin Michelle L. , Bowes Matthew J.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

The present study aims to investigate the secular trends of weight, stature, and BMI values in a Nova Scotian sample from 1946 to 1999, with particular focus on how these trends may relate to nutrition and the evolving obesity epidemic.

Methods

Data were collected from investigative (autopsy) records of 1645 individuals (1287 males, 358 females) of European descent at the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service. Secular trends were evaluated by linear regression of weight, stature, and BMI with respect to the year of birth. Further analysis of this sample was based on five time periods (birth cohorts), in order to determine whether dramatic shifts in diet and nutrition affected weight, stature, and BMI.

Results

Overall, the results of this study demonstrate positive secular trends in weight, stature, and BMI from 1946 to 1999 in the Nova Scotian sample. Subsequent analysis among different time periods shows a secular increase in the weight of Nova Scotian males from 1946 to 1979, and a subsequent decrease in weight in after 1980. For Nova Scotian females, the results show a secular increase in weight from 1946 to 1989, and a subsequent decrease in weight after 1990. Such secular increases in weight coincide with the global nutrition transition, while recent decreasing median weight values may reflect economic growth and urbanization in Nova Scotia.

Conclusions

Overall, the results of the present study indicate that temporal trends in nutrition may have contributed to positive secular changes in weight, stature, and BMI in Nova Scotia, Canada between 1946 and 1999.
Label‐Free Detection of Transferrin Receptor by a Designed Ligand‐Protein Sensor
Authors: Liu Wanshan , Sun Shiyu , Huang Yida , Wang Ruimin , Xu Jiale , Liu Xiyuan , Qian Kun
Published: November 2019

Advanced detection of biomarkers in biofluids plays an important role in disease diagnosis and prognosis. Current techniques with pre‐labelling suffer from high cost and complicated operation, etc. Herein, we designed a label‐free electrochemical biosensor for rapid detection of transferrin receptor with desirable linear range, sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and stability for practical applications.
Exploring the factors affecting child and adolescent psychotherapists' and counsellors' decision‐making in clinical work with parents
Authors: Jäderberg Laine , Goss Stephen P. , Graham McBeath Alistair
Published: November 2019

This study examined interventions with parents/carers in child and adolescent counselling and psychotherapy (CAP). The aim was to investigate clinicians' rationale behind their decision to work with parents and what types of interventions they use. Furthermore, the nature of clinicians' core training with regard to interventions with parents was investigated. The study used both quantitative data and qualitative textual data from an online survey of 110 CAP clinicians. There was significant agreement, regardless of previous training or level of experience, that clinical work with parents in CAP is beneficial, but little consensus for a rationale or model for best practice. There was a relationship between training, theoretical orientation and whether CAPs felt competent to work with parents. Unexpectedly, a significant number (83%) of integrative practitioners said that there had been ‘little’ to ‘none at all’ focus on working with parents on their core training course. Other unforeseen findings were in the domain of working outside generally accepted boundaries for CAP, with a notable number of clinicians making home visits—24.1% with parents alone and 38.9% with parent and child together—along with 47.2% using phone calls and/or email for coaching and support with parents. Many clinicians were candid about their sense of a lack of competence in working with parents, even though at least half were senior, experienced clinicians. A number of these practitioners made specific reference to the wish for further specialist training, with many asking for signposting to where further training could be obtained.
Primary undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (Malignant fibrous histiocytoma) of the lung: A case report
Authors: Miyashita Yudai , Ikeda Naoki , Hiraoka Kei
Published: November 2019

Primary UPS of the lung, so‐called MFH, is a rare aggressive neoplasm and known to be a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. Surgical resection without residual tumor is the main option of treatment and the best chance for long‐term survival.
Effects of Centrifugal Block Freeze Crystallization on Quality Properties in Pineapple Juice
Authors: Orellana-Palma Patricio , Zúñiga Rommy N. , Takhar Pawan Singh , Gianelli María Pía , Petzold Guillermo
Published: November 2019

Quality properties of concentrate pineapple juice obtained by block freeze crystallization (BFC) and evaporation technology are investigated. After three concentration cycles, the solutes were approximately 3.2 times compared to the initial condition and the final color was darker than that of the fresh juice. BFC allowed for higher bioactive compounds retention than evaporation in terms of total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin content. The cryoconcentrate juice showed a similar aromatic profile to the fresh juice, with 26 and 23 compounds, respectively. Conversely, only seven volatile compounds were identified in the evaporate sample. Finally, BFC is an effective technology to preserve important quality properties from fresh fruit juices such as color, polyphenols, and aromatic profile.
Low‐noise and low‐sensitivity filters using current‐mode coupled biquads
Authors: Jurisic Drazen , Moschytz George S.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, it is shown that by adding coupling to biquad pairs to obtain a fourth‐order band‐pass filter, the output thermal noise is reduced. It is shown analytically that minimum output thermal noise is obtained when the biquads are identical and the negative‐feedback factor used for coupling is the same as for the minimum sensitivity to component tolerances and ambient changes. Furthermore, by optimizing the coupled biquads for maximum dynamic range, the output noise is further decreased.
Ensemble modeling of the potential distribution of the whale shark in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Báez José C. , Barbosa Ana Márcia , Pascual Pedro , Ramos María Lourdes , Abascal Francisco
Published: November 2019

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is an endangered marine fish species which can be adversely affected by the fishing activities of the industrial purse seine fleet targeting tropical tuna. Tuna tend to aggregate around all types of floating objects, including whale sharks. We analyzed and modeled the spatial distribution and environmental preferences of whale sharks based on the presence and absence data from fishing observations in the Atlantic Ocean. We used a thorough multialgorithm analysis, based on a new presence–absence dataset, and endeavored to follow the most recent recommendations on best practices in species distribution modeling. First, we selected a subset of relevant variables using a generalized linear model that addressed multicollinearity, statistical errors, and information criteria. We then used the selected variables to build a model ensemble including 19 different algorithms. After eliminating models with insufficient performance, we assessed the potential distribution of whale sharks using the mean of the predictions of the selected models. We also assessed the variance among the predictions of different algorithms, in order to identify areas with the highest model consensus. The results show that several coastal regions and warm shallow currents, such as the Gulf Stream and the Canary and Benguela currents, are the most suitable areas for whale sharks under current environmental conditions. Future environmental projections for the Atlantic Ocean suggest that some of the suitable regions will shift northward, but current concentration areas will continue to be suitable for whale shark, although with less productivity, which could have negative consequences for conservation of the species. We discuss the implications of these predictions for the conservation and management of this charismatic marine species.
Early production of IL‐17A by γδ T cells in the trachea promotes viral clearance during influenza infection in mice
Authors: Palomino‐Segura Miguel , Latino Irene , Farsakoglu Yagmur , Gonzalez Santiago F.
Published: November 2019

The innate immune response generated against influenza infection is critical for the inhibition of viral dissemination. The trachea contains different types of innate immune cells that protect the respiratory tract from pathogen invasion. Among them, γδ T cells have the ability to rapidly generate large amounts of pro‐inflammatory cytokines to preserve mucosal barrier homeostasis during infection. However, little is known about their role during the early phase of influenza infection in the airways. In this study, we found that, early after infection, γδ T cells are recruited and activated in the trachea and outnumber αβ T cells during the course of the influenza infection that follows. We also showed that the majority of the recruited γδ T cells express the Vγ4 TCR chain and infiltrate in a process that involves the chemokine receptor CXCR3. In addition, we demonstrated that γδ T cells promote the recruitment of protective neutrophils and NK cells to the tracheal mucosa. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of the immune responses mediated by γδ T cells.
Identification of the viscoelastic boundary conditions of Euler‐Bernoulli beams using transmissibility
Authors: Qiao Guandong , Rahmatalla Salam
Published: November 2019

A new method to identify the viscoelastic boundary conditions of Euler‐Bernoulli beams under forced response is here presented. The boundary conditions and transmissibility function with viscoelastic expressions in terms of the Green function are introduced in the identification process. Two distinct identification methods are proposed: the least squares method with singular value decomposition; and the pattern search optimization method. Three examples are reported to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methods. The results from the least squares method to provide accurate solutions under noise‐free conditions, but poorly perform with the addition of 1% noise. Conversely, the pattern search optimization method integrates the solutions from different frequencies and provides promising solutions, even with 50% noise. The capability of identifying complex boundary conditions under high levels of noise might open the door for the proposed method to be considered in real‐life applications of structural health monitoring and model updating with boundary conditions of beam‐like structures such as bridges.
Geochemistry and zircon trace elements composition of the Miocene ore‐bearing biotite monzogranite porphyry in the Demingding porphyry Cu‐Mo deposit, Tibet: Petrogenesis and implication for magma fertility
Authors: Zhang Zebin , Wang Liqiang , Tang Pan , Lin Bin , Sun Miao , Qi Jing , Li Yixuan , Yang Zhengkun
Published: November 2019

Demingding is a poorly studied post‐collisional porphyry Cu‐Mo deposit, located in the eastern part of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt. In this study, we present LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb dating, whole‐rock geochemistry, and zircon trace elemental data for the mineralization related biotite monzogranite porphyry in Demingding. Zircon U‐Pb dating shows that the weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of the Miocene biotite monzogranite porphyry is 20.36 ± 0.46 Ma (MSWD = 2.6, n = 21). The Miocene biotite monzogranite porphyry is characterized by high SiO2, K2O, and Al2O3 contents and shows adakite‐like signatures. These rocks have high Sr/Y ratios, fractionated REE patterns with low HREE abundances, enrichment in LILE compared with HFSE, and have (87Sr/86Sr)i values of 0.7059 to 0.7062, εNd(t) values of −2.35 to −1.67 and (206Pb/204Pb)i ratios of 18.50–18.55. These features are similar to other Miocene adakite‐like intrusions in the Gangdese belt. We propose that the biotite monzogranite porphyry shares the same petrogenesis with other Miocene ore‐bearing adakite‐like intrusions in the Eastern Gangdese belt and was derived from remelting of the subduction‐modified, eclogitized Tibetan lower crust and mixing with hydrous mafic magmas from metasomatized Tibetan mantle. The zircons from biotite monzogranite porphyry have only minimal negative Eu anomalies (EuN/EuN* > 0.3), and exhibit large ratios of Ce4+/Ce3+(average value of 113), 10,000*(EuN/EuN*)/Y (3.94–8.14, >1), Ce/Nd (9–58, Average value of 30), (Ce/Nd)/Y (0.008–0.127, >0.003), and low value of Dy/Yb (0.15–0.24, <0.3), indicating that the biotite monzogranite porphyry is relatively hydrous and oxidized. The biotite monzogranite porphyry, therefore, is believed to be a relatively fertile intrusion with certain exploration potential.
Lymphatic mapping with SPECT‐CT for evaluation of contralateral drainage in lateralized oropharyngeal cancers using an awake injection technique
Authors: Thomas Carissa M. , Khan Mohemmed N. , Mohan Ravi , Hendler Aaron , Hosni Ali , Chepeha Douglas B. , Goldstein David P. , Cooper Richard M , de Almeida John R.
Published: November 2019

Background

Risk of contralateral nodal metastases in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is currently based on clinical risk factors. We propose lymphatic mapping with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT‐CT) for tumor‐specific delineation of lymphatic drainage to guide treatment.

Methods

Retrospective review of lymphatic drainage patterns in cT1‐2 OPSCC and contralateral cN0 neck with a nonoperative, awake injection of 99 m‐Tc sulfur colloid and SPECT‐CT.

Results

Ten patients were reviewed. Primary sites included tonsil (n = 8, 80%) and tongue base (n = 2, 20%). All patients tolerated awake injections with no complications. Nine patients (90%) demonstrated satisfactory migration of radiotracer to neck node(s) with seven (78%) to the ipsilateral lateral neck, one (11%) to the ipsilateral lateral neck and retropharynx, and one (11%) to bilateral lateral neck nodes.

Conclusions

Characterization of lymphatic drainage in OPSCC is feasible using a nonoperative injection technique and SPECT‐CT. Drainage to the contralateral neck is rare, warranting further study to tailor treatment appropriately.
Potential pitfalls in incorporating plasma Epstein‐Barr virus DNA in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Wong Edwin C. Y. , Hung Jessica L. C. , Ng Wai T.
Published: November 2019

Background

This study identifies potential pitfalls in incorporating plasma Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) DNA into the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

A total of 208 NPC patients without distant metastasis who received radical treatment and had measurements of EBV DNA at baseline, 8 weeks and 26 weeks postradiotherapy were analyzed. Prognostic and predictive values at each time‐point were compared.

Results

Risk stratification by pretreatment level failed to identify a poor prognostic group. Detectable EBV DNA at 8 weeks and 26 weeks postradiotherapy were both associated with significantly poorer 5‐year disease‐free survival (HR 0.30, P < .001 and HR 0.03, P < .001, respectively) and overall survival (HR 0.27, P = .009 and HR 0.03, P < .001, respectively). Eighty percentage had detectable EBV DNA at recurrence (53.3% for local only, 100% for regional only, and 100% for distant failure).

Conclusions

Posttreatment EBV DNA, particularly at 26 weeks post‐radiotherapy, has high prognostic and predictive values. Surveillance endoscopy/imaging are recommended for the detection of local recurrence.
Barycentric rational interpolation method for numerical investigation of magnetohydrodynamics nanofluid flow and heat transfer in nonparallel plates with thermal radiation
Authors: Torkaman Soraya , Heydari Mohammad , Loghmani Ghasem B. , Ganji Davood Domiri
Published: November 2019

In this study, the problem of heat transfer in the steady two‐dimensional flow of an incompressible viscous magnetohydrodynamics nanofluid from a sink or source between two shrinkable or stretchable plates under the effect of thermal radiation has been studied. The governing differential equations have been solved numerically using a collocation method based on the barycentric rational basis functions. This method employs the derivative operational matrix of the barycentric rational bases and the weights that were introduced by Floater and Hormann. The influence of some embedding parameters, such as the solid volume fraction , the Reynolds number , the Hartmann number , the Prandtl number , the radiation parameter , the stretching‐shrinking parameter, , and the angle of the channel on the temperature distribution and velocity profile has been illustrated by graphs and tables. Numerical results reveal the efficiency and high accuracy of the proposed scheme compared to the previously existing solutions. Furthermore, the implementation of the proposed method is fast and the run time is short.
Prognostic factors and long‐term outcomes of obstetric fistula care using the Tanguiéta model
Authors: Benski Anne‐Caroline , Delavy Martine , Rochat Charles‐Henry , Viviano Manuela , Catarino Rosa , Elsig Valérie , Doulougou Abdoulaye , Petignat Patrick , Vassilakos Pierre
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To identify factors influencing the long‐term prognosis after surgical repair of obstetric fistula, establish a prognosis‐based classification system, and examine changes in quality of life after surgery.

Methods

A retrospective study of 308 women who underwent obstetric fistula repair at Saint Jean de Dieu Hospital, Tanguiéta, Benin, between 2008 and 2016, and were supported by a multidisciplinary management model. All participants were from rural areas of Burkina Faso. The women completed interviews before, immediately after, and 2, 4–6, and 12 months after surgery to assess their clinical state and socioeconomic and psychologic status.

Results

Overall, the fistulae of 230/274 (83.9%) women were considered to be repaired after 12 months. Factors associated with poor repair outcome included the presence of sclerotic tissue (odds ratio [OR], 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11–0.53) and intraoperative complications (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.07–0.39). Women with successful surgery had a better quality of life as compared with women with an unrepaired fistula (Ditrovie score, 1.1 vs 3.9; P<0.001).

Conclusion

The multidisciplinary Tanguiéta model for management of obstetric fistula allowed successful fistula closure, thereby facilitating the women's long‐term social reintegration, and improved quality of life.
Synergistic engineering of hole transport materials in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Mabrouk Sally , Bahrami Behzad , Elbohy Hytham , Reza Khan Mamun , Gurung Ashim , Liang Mao , Wu Fan , Wang Mingtai , Yang Shangfeng , Qiao Qiquan
Published: November 2019

In this work, methylammonium lead triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite solar cells with efficiencies higher than 18% were achieved using a new nanocomposite hole transport layer (HTL) by doping poly(ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) with a mixed dopant of polyaniline (PANI) and graphene oxide (GO). A synergistic engineering between GO, PANI, and PEDOT:PSS was accomplished to introduce additional energy levels between perovskite and PEDOT:PSS and increase the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS. Kelvin probe force microscope results confirmed that adding GO to PEDOT:PSS/PANI composite significantly reduced the average surface potential. This increased the open circuit voltage (Voc) to 1.05 V for the GO/PEDOT:PSS/PANI nanocomposite perovskite solar cells from the pristine PEDOT:PSS (Voc = 0.95 V) and PEDOT:PSS/PANI (Voc = 0.99 V). In addition, adding PANI to the HTLs substantially enhanced short circuit current density (Jsc). This was supported by the current sensing‐atomic force microscopy (CS‐AFM) and conductivity measurements. The PANI doped films showed superior electrical conductivity compared with those without PANI as indicated by CS‐AFM results. PANI can fill the gaps between the microflakes of GO and give rise to more compact hole transport material (HTM) layer. This led to a higher Jsc after doping with PANI, which was consistent with the incident photon‐to‐current efficiency and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and AFM indicated the GO/PANI doped HTMs significantly improved the crystallinity, topography, and crystal size of the perovskite film grown on their surface. A higher efficiency of 18.12% for p‐i‐n perovskite solar cells has been obtained by adding the mixed dopant of GO, PANI, and PEDOT:PSS, demonstrating better stability than the pristine PEDOT:PSS cell.

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Near‐infrared organic photoelectric materials for light‐harvesting systems: Organic photovoltaics and organic photodiodes
Authors: Xie Boming , Chen Zhongxin , Ying Lei , Huang Fei , Cao Yong
Published: November 2019

The inherent advantages of organic optoelectronic materials endow light‐harvesting systems, including organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and organic photodiodes (OPDs), with multiple advantages, such as low‐cost manufacturing, light weight, flexibility, and applicability to large‐area fabrication, make them promising competitors with their inorganic counterparts. Among them, near‐infrared (NIR) organic optoelectronic materials occupy a special position and have become the subject of extensive research in both academia and industry. The introduction of NIR materials into OPVs extends the absorption spectrum range, thereby enhancing the photon‐harvesting ability of the devices, due to which they have been widely used for the construction of semitransparent solar cells with single‐junction or tandem architectures. NIR photodiodes have tremendous potential in industrial, military, and scientific applications, such as remote control of smart electronic devices, chemical/biological sensing, environmental monitoring, optical communication, and so forth. These practical and potential applications have stimulated the development of NIR photoelectric materials, which in turn has given impetus to innovation in light‐harvesting systems. In this review, we summarize the common molecular design strategies of NIR photoelectric materials and enumerate their applications in OPVs and OPDs.

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Blockchain security risk assessment and the auditor
Authors: White Barbara S. , King Chula G. , Holladay Jonathon
Published: November 2019

A blockchain is an Internet‐based peer‐to‐peer system that forms a network of independent and connected computers that simultaneously record and verify transactions. This peer‐to‐peer system focuses on who owns the information and how that information is transferred. Blockchains offer significant advantages over traditional databases where users can delete, modify, and change records. The advantages include improved efficiencies, lower costs, enhanced transparency, and an immutable audit history of all transactions. The advantages, however, are not without significant risks. The risks include technological risks, data security risks, interoperability risks, and third‐party vendor risks. Because of the inherent advantages in blockchains, auditors are being called upon to provide assurance services to clients who use blockchains and to advise clients on blockchain technology. Therefore, auditors must be equipped with the knowledge and expertise of not only blockchain technology, but also the assessment of risks inherent in blockchain technology.
Investigating Protein–Protein Allosteric Network using Current‐Flow Scheme
Authors: Botello‐Smith Wesley M. , Luo Yun
Published: November 2019

Protein dynamic network analysis provides a powerful tool for investigating protein allosteric regulation. We recently developed a current‐flow betweenness scheme for protein network analysis and demonstrated that this method, that is, using current‐flow betweenness as edge weights, is more appropriate and more robust for investigating the signal transmission between two predefined protein residues or domains as compared with direct usage of correlation scores as edge weights. Here we seek to expand the current‐flow scheme to study allosteric regulations involving protein–protein binding. Specifically, we investigated three gain‐of‐function mutations located at the binding interface of ALK2 (also known as ACVR1) kinase and its inhibitory protein FKBP12. We first searched for the optimal smoothing function for contact network construction and then calculated the subnetwork between FKBP12 protein and the kinase ATP binding site using current‐flow betweenness. By comparing the networks between the wild‐type and three mutants, we have identified statistically significant changes in the protein–protein networks that are common among all three mutants that allosterically shift the kinase toward a catalytically competent configuration. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Toxicity assessment of nano‐TiO2inApis melliferaL., 1758: histological and immunohistochemical assays
Authors: Ferrara Giulia , Salvaggio Antonio , Pecoraro Roberta , Scalisi Elena Maria , Presti Andrea Maria , Impellizzeri Giuliana , Brundo Maria Violetta
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) by short‐term toxicity tests inApis mellifera, considered an excellent bioindicator organism mainly due to its sensitivity. Bees have been exposed to several concentrations of TiO2NPs (1 × 10−3, 1 × 10−4, 1 × 10−5, 1 × 10−6mg/10 ml) for 10 days. Morphostructural and histological assays were done on gut and honey sac. The research of exposure biomarkers like metallothioneins 1 (MT1) and Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) was performed to verify if a detoxification mechanism has been activated in the exposed animals. No histological alteration on the epithelium of the gut and honey sac were observed in exposed samples. A significant positivity for anti‐MT1 antibody was observed only in the honey sac cells. A weak positivity for HSP70 was observed in both structures analyzed. In several studies have shown the non‐toxicity of TiO2NPs on other model organisms, in our study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles was proven to be highly toxic at the highest concentration tested (100% of lethality to 1 × 10−3mg/10 ml) and moderately toxic at lower concentrations. Honey bees proved to be excellent models for study of NPs toxicity and for monitoring environment.
Proliferation of Ly6C+ monocytes/macrophages contributes to their accumulation in mouse skin wounds
Authors: Pang Jingbo , Urao Norifumi , Koh Timothy J.
Published: November 2019

Monocytes and macrophages (Mo/MΦ) play critical roles in all phases of skin wound healing. The majority of these cells are thought to be recruited from blood Mo; however, the role local proliferation of Mo/MΦ in the wound has not been defined. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that local proliferation of Mo and/or MΦ contributes to their accumulation during wound healing. Male C57Bl/6 mice (N = 4–9/group) were subjected to excisional skin wounding. Proliferating Mo/MΦ (F4/80+Ki67+) were observed in wound cryosections, peaking on day 5 post-wounding. Cell cycle analysis on cells isolated from skin tissue revealed that wounding increased both the number and percentage of inflammatory Ly6C+F4/80lo/− Mo/MΦ in the S/G2/M phases, peaking on day 6 post-wounding. In contrast, more mature Ly6C-F4/80+ cells were found predominantly in the G0 phase with less than 1% cells in S/G2/M phase following injury. In peripheral blood, Mo were very rarely found in the S/G2/M phase, suggesting that the wound environment triggered the Ly6C+F4/80lo/− Mo proliferative response. Furthermore, injury induced several potential regulators of proliferation in wounds, including IL-1β and IL-6, and wound Mo/MΦ expressed surface receptors for these cytokines. However, wound Mo/MΦ proliferation was not altered in IL-1R1 knockout (KO) or IL-6 KO mice. In summary, our findings indicate that proliferation contributes to Mo/MΦ accumulation in wounds and, contrary to findings in other pathophysiologic conditions, Ly6C+/F4/80lo/− Mo/MΦ proliferate during skin wound healing whereas mature Ly6C−F4/80+ MΦ do not.
Effects of surface vegetation on the intensity of East Asian summer monsoon as revealed by observation and model experiments
Authors: Lee Seonju , Lee Myong‐In
Published: November 2019

This study investigates the effects of surface vegetation density on the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). The analysis using observation and reanalysis data reveals that the increase of vegetation drives a dipole pattern in the precipitation anomalies where the precipitation in Northeast Asia tends to increase, whereas the precipitation in southern China and East China Sea tends to decrease. The model sensitivity experiments confirm the mechanism of regional monsoon circulation changed by changes in surface vegetation density, in which enhanced vegetation leads to an increase of surface evapotranspiration and a decrease of surface temperature over land. The decrease in precipitation over southern China and East China Sea is attributed to the slow‐down of EASM circulation due to the reduction in thermal contrast between the continent and the ocean. The results suggest that the surface vegetation can change the local thermal conditions and induce the dynamical process in broader scale to change the precipitation response.
Decadal change in summer precipitation over the east of Northwest China and its associations with atmospheric circulations and sea surface temperatures
Authors: Shang Shasha , Zhu Gaofeng , Li Ruolin , Xu Jie , Gu Juan , Chen Huiling , Liu Xiaowen , Han Tuo
Published: November 2019

As global warming has progressed, precipitation patterns over arid Northwest China have undergone significant change. In this study, changes in summer (JJA) precipitation over the eastern part of Northwest China (ENWC) from 1980 to 2014 were investigated using the China gridded monthly precipitation dataset (CN05.1). The results showed that summer precipitation over the ENWC experienced a decadal wet‐to‐dry shift in 1998. Westerlies played an important role in the upper atmospheric levels in terms of water vapour transport; the decadal variations in summer precipitation were principally controlled by the water vapour input from the ENWC's western boundary. In addition, the decadal variations in summer precipitation in the ENWC appear to be associated with a meridional teleconnection around 110°E and a zonal pattern over 45–60°N in the lower troposphere. These two teleconnections led to cyclonic anomalies in the ENWC and enhanced water vapour transport into the ENWC, resulting in above‐normal precipitation during the 1989–1998 decadal period. Further, the warmer (colder) sea surface temperatures (SSTs) observed in the tropical Eastern Pacific correspond to the southward (northward) displacement of the Asian jet stream and a negative (positive) phase of the Silk Road pattern, resulting in a wet (dry) ENWC. Moreover, the SST anomalies in the North Atlantic and Northwest Pacific may affect summer precipitation over the ENWC via a zonal teleconnection in the middle troposphere.
Prediction of the Health Effects of Food Peptides and Elucidation of the Mode‐of‐action Using Multi‐task Graph Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Fukunaga Itsuki , Sawada Ryusuke , Shibata Tomokazu , Kaitoh Kazuma , Sakai Yukie , Yamanishi Yoshihiro
Published: November 2019

Food proteins work not only as nutrients but also modulators for the physiological functions of the human body. The physiological functions of food proteins are basically regulated by peptides encrypted in food protein sequences (food peptides). In this study, we propose a novel deep learning‐based method to predict the health effects of food peptides and elucidate the mode‐of‐action. In the algorithm, we estimate potential target proteins of food peptides using a multi‐task graph convolutional neural network, and predict its health effects using information about therapeutic targets for diseases. We constructed predictive models based on 21,103 peptide‐protein interactions involving 10,950 peptides and 2,533 proteins, and applied the models to food peptides (e. g., lactotripeptide, isoleucyltyrosine and sardine peptide) defined in food for specified health use. The models suggested potential effects such as blood‐pressure lowering effects, blood glucose level lowering effects, and anti‐cancer effects for several food peptides. The interactions of food peptides with target proteins were confirmed by docking simulations.
The periodic character in a higher order difference equation with delays
Authors: Gümüş Mehmet
Published: November 2019

The aim of this paper is to investigate the global dynamics of the delay nonlinear difference equation

where k, l, and m are positive integers, the parameters A, B, C, p, and q are nonnegative real numbers, and the initial values
are nonnegative real numbers such that the denominator is always positive. Several numerical simulations are provided to support obtained results. Also, our results extend and generalize the known ones.
Technical Note: Impact on central frequency and noise magnitude ratios by advanced CT image reconstruction techniques
Authors: Pan Tinsu , Hasegawa Akira , Luo Dershan , Wu Carol C. , Vikram Raghu
Published: November 2019

Purpose

We use central frequency ratio and noise magnitude ratio from noise power spectrum (NPS) to evaluate the noise reduction techniques of ASiR and ASiR‐V of GE, SAFIRE and ADMIRE of Siemens, and PixelShine of AlgoMedica. ASiR, ASiR‐V, SAFIRE and ADMIRE use a combination of image and projection data whereas PixelShine uses artificial intelligence neural network for noise reduction.

Methods and materials

The homogeneous module of the ACR computed tomography (CT) phantom was scanned on a GE Revolution HD 64‐slice CT for ASiR and ASiR‐V, a Siemens Somatom Force for ADMIRE, and a Siemens Definition AS 64‐slice for SAFIRE for NPS calculation. The baseline filtered back‐projection (FBP) reconstructions were derived from the standard kernel on Revolution HD, Hr44f on Force and D40s on Definition AS. The central frequency ratio (CFR) indicates the degree of shift in the central frequency of NPS after noise reduction. A smaller CFR means a larger shift of the NPS curve, or a larger degree of image blurring. The noise magnitude ratio (NMR) indicates the amount of noise removed. A smaller NMR means a larger degree of noise reduction. An ideal noise reduction shall maintain a CFR close to 1 and a NMR close to 0.

Results

The ideal noise reduction by increasing radiation exposure did not shift the central frequency when the image noise was reduced. PixelShine was the closest to the ideal noise reduction in CFR, and was followed by SAFIRE, ASiR‐V, ADMIRE and ASiR, in sequence. Similarly, PixelShine had the smallest NMR, and was followed by SAFIRE, ASiR‐V, ADMIRE and ASiR in sequence. Overall, PixelShine had the least central frequency shift for the same amount of noise reduction or the most noise reduction for the same amount of central frequency shift. For the same CFR, ASiR‐V reduced more noise than ASiR; and SAFIRE reduced more noise than ADMIRE.

Conclusions

We introduced two new parameters of CFR and NMR from NPS to compare the reconstructions from different manufacturers. PixelShine had the least central frequency shift for the same amount of noise reduction or the most noise reduction for the same amount of central frequency shift. For the same central frequency shift, ASiR‐V reduced more noise than ASiR, and SAFIRE reduced more noise than ADMIRE.
Interactions between women with rheumatoid arthritis and nurses during outpatient consultations: A qualitative study
Authors: Feddersen Helle , Kristiansen Tine Mechlenborg , Andersen Pernille Tanggaard , Hørslev‐Petersen Kim , Primdahl Jette
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, and patients with RA receive services in various settings—for example, in nurse‐led follow‐up consultations. The present study aimed to investigate how the management of RA in everyday life is expressed in interactions between nurses and women with RA during nursing consultations.

Methods

The study was conducted in accordance with constructivist grounded theory, with data based on participant observations and subsequent interviews with 10 women with RA.

Results

A core category was developed, “Collaboration through mutual acknowledgement”, which documented how the women and nurses confirmed their shared understanding of the content and the structure of the consultation. Three subcategories were identified: (i) “On safe ground”, which illustrated that biomedical factors, such as blood test results and pharmacological treatment, structured the basis of the dialogue; (ii) “Venturing forward”, which documented how both parties were aware of each other's reactions when the dialogue dealt with women's perspectives of illness in their everyday lives; and (iii) “Gentle steering”, which showed that the nurses gently steered the dialogue if the women strayed from the planned content.

Conclusions

Both parties agreed that a disease perspective consistent with biomedical factors formed the basis for further dialogue. Subsequently, the women's perspectives on illness were included, and the women felt acknowledged. Therefore, the recommendation is that the consultations start by all parties agreeing on a shared agenda to facilitate the inclusion of the women's perspectives on illness.
Edaravone for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: More evidence for long‐term benefit
Authors: Distad B. Jane , Weiss Michael D.
Published: November 2019

See article on pages 218–221 in this issue.
Childhood obesity: when do you stop testing and start talking?
Authors: Datta Aarti , Chakrabarti Sulagna
Published: November 2019

Obese children often present with somatic illness such as headache and pain. However, less well documented are the associated psychological comorbidities. The authors describe a case of a 12‐year‐old severely obese boy that highlights the need for an holistic approach to address psychiatric as well as physical needs.
Risk feeding in the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Evans Sarah , Soar Naomi , Lang Alex , Sommerville Peter , Archer Sally , Birns Jonathan
Published: November 2019

The motor and non‐motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease have been demonstrated to have a significantly detrimental impact on quality of life with an associated increase in care needs as the disease progresses, with dysphagia occurring in more than 80% of patients with the disease. Here, the authors describe the successful implementation of a novel care bundle called FORWARD (Feeding via the Oral Route With Acknowledged Risk of Deterioration) devised by a multiprofessional team to support patients who have an unsafe swallow.