bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of human alveolar echinococcosis in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Xuanzhuo , Dai Guodong , Li Min , Jia Wanzhong , Guo Zhongmin , Lu Jiahai
Published: March 2020

Background Human alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) is a severe parasitic disease that is a major public health concern. A review has indicated that new HAE cases in China account for 91% of the global HAE burden every year. Although there are a few studies and systematic reviews (SRs) on the prevalence of HAE in China, trends in the prevalence have not been estimated. Therefore, this study aims to describe the overall variation in the trend of HAE prevalence, and provide evidence for preventive measures in the future. Methods Thirty-five eligible studies were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP, and included in the SR and meta-analysis. An adjusted Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality checklist was used to evaluate study quality. We used the arcsine transformation to adjust the individual reported prevalences and also calculated the pooled HAE prevalence. We evaluated heterogeneity using the chi-square test and I 2 statistic, as well as random-effects models and fixed-effects models. We generated forest plots for the meta-analysis results and assessed publication bias of the studies using the Egger’s test and funnel plots. We conducted subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and meta-regression analyses to analyze the source of heterogeneity and factors potentially influencing the prevalence of HAE. Results The meta-analysis indicated that the pooled HAE prevalence in China was 0.96% (95% CI: 0.71 to 1.25%). Factors potentially influencing HAE prevalence are female sex (OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.35 to 1.91), being ≥30 years of age (OR=4.72, 95% CI: 2.29 to 9.75), and being farmers and/or herdsmen (OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.60 to 4.02). The results of the meta-regression analysis (R 2 =38.11%, P < 0.01) indicated that HAE prevalence is on a downward trend. Conclusions HAE prevalence has decreased over time and maintained low levels after 2005 in China. This decline was influenced by the utilization of One Health strategies as intervention measures. Therefore, these One Health strategies should be used as references to formulate future programs for HAE control. More high-quality epidemiological investigations and surveillance programs ought to be conducted in order to improve HAE control in the future.
Prediction and mechanistic analysis of Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI) based on chemical structure
Authors: Liu Anika , Walter Moritz , Wright Peter , Bartosik Aleksandra Maria , Dolciami Daniela , Elbasir Abdurrahman , Yang Hongbin , Bender Andreas
Published: March 2020

Background: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major safety concern characterized by a complex and diverse pathogenesis. In order to identify DILI early in drug development, a better understanding of the injury and models with better predictivity are urgently needed. One approach in this regard are in silico models which aim at predicting the risk of DILI based on the compound structure. However, these models do yet show sufficient predictive performance or interpretability to be useful for decision making by themselves, the former partially stemming from the underlying problem of labeling the in vivo DILI risk of compounds in a meaningful way for generating machine learning models.Results: As part of the Critical Assessment of Massive Data Analysis (CAMDA) “CMap Drug Safety Challenge” 2019 (http://papers.camda.info/), chemical structure-based models were generated using the binarized DILIrank annotations. Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) classifiers showed comparable performance to previously published models with a mean balanced accuracy over models generated using 5-fold cross-validation inside a 10-fold training scheme of 0.759±0.027 when predicting an external test set. In the models which used predicted protein targets as compound descriptors, we identified the most information-rich proteins which agreed with the mechanisms of action and toxicity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), one of the most important drug classes causing DILI, and the previously established stress response pathways mediated by mitochondria, p38 MAPK and TP53. In addition, we identified multiple proteins involved in xenobiotic metabolism which could be novel DILI-related off-targets, such as CLK1 and DDR2. Moreover, we derived potential structural alerts for DILI with high precision, including furan and hydrazine derivatives; however, all derived alerts were present in approved drugs and were over specific indicating the need to consider quantitative variables such as dose.Conclusion: Using chemical structure-based descriptors such as structural fingerprints and predicted protein targets, DILI prediction models were built with a predictive performance comparable to previous literature. In addition, we derived insights on proteins and pathways statistically (and potentially causally) linked to DILI from these models and inferred new structural alerts related to this adverse endpoint.
Transdiagnostic Comparison of Visual Working Memory Capacity in Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia
Authors: Barnes-Scheufler Catherine , Mirkes Caroline , Rösler Lara , Mayer Jutta , Oertel Viola , Kittel-Schneider Sarah , Matura Silke , Reif Andreas , Bittner Robert A
Published: March 2020

Background Impaired working memory is a core cognitive deficit in both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Its study might yield crucial insights into the underpinnings of both disorders on the cognitive and neurophysiological level. Visual working memory capacity is a particularly promising construct for such translational studies. However, it has not yet been investigated across the full spectrum of both disorders. The aim of our study was to compare the degree of reductions of visual working memory capacity in patients with bipolar disorder (PBD) and patients with schizophrenia (PSZ) using a paradigm well established in cognitive neuroscience. Methods 62 PBD, 64 PSZ, and 70 healthy controls (HC) completed a canonical visual change detection task. Participants had to encode the color of four circles and indicate after a short delay whether the color of one of the circles had changed or not. We estimated working memory capacity using Pashler’s K. ResultsWorking memory capacity was significantly reduced in both PBD and PSZ compared to HC. Working memory capacity in PSZ was also significantly reduced compared to PBD. Thus, PBD showed an intermediate level of impairment. ConclusionsThese findings provide evidence for a gradient of reduced working memory capacity in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, with PSZ showing the strongest degree of impairment. This underscores the relevance of disturbed information processing for both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Our results are also compatible with the cognitive manifestation of a neurodevelopmental gradient affecting bipolar disorder to a lesser degree than schizophrenia.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 as A Prognostic Indicator in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Wei Wei , Liang Xiaoshuan , Liu Jing , Wang Yuhang , Song Quanfu , A Leha , Sun Shanshan , Zhang Xianyu , Pang Da , Jiang Yongdong
Published: March 2020

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive breast cancers, and patients with this subtype usually have a poor prognosis. Early analyses identified that fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) was involved in breast cancer, but its prognostic effect on TNBC is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the association between FGFR4 and TNBC prognosis.Methods: FGFR4 protein expression was detected in 282 TNBC patients using immunohistochemistry.Results: FGFR4 was highly expressed in TNBC patients. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) (P=0.033) and p53 status (P=0.019) were associated with high FGFR4 expression. Univariate analysis identified high FGFR4 expression (P=0.016) as a prognostic predictor, and multivariate analysis found that high FGFR4 expression (P=0.016) was an independent prognostic factor. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that high FGFR4 protein expression was correlated with poorer overall survival.Conclusions: The results of our present study show that FGFR4 protein expression is correlated with a worse prognosis in TNBC.
Circ_DLG1 facilitates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by mediating miR-338-3p/MAP3K9 axis via activating MAPK/ERK pathway
Authors: Yang Yixuan , Zhu Bing , Ning Zhaofeng , Wang Xiaodong , Li Zhaoxia , Zhang Chunxia , Wen Linchun
Published: March 2020

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignancy with a high incidence and poor prognosis. The document of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is frequently associated with cancer development. This study intended to explore the functional mechanism of circ_DLG1 in ESCC.Methods: The expression of circ_DLG1, miR-338-3p and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase 9 (MAP3K9) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell cycle, proliferation, migration and invasion were performed for functional analysis using flow cytometry, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and transwell assay, respectively. The protein levels of MAP3K9, p38, phosphor p38 (p-p38), ERK1/2, phosphor ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by western blot. Bioinformatics tool for target prediction used the online tool starBase. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the target relationship. The animal experiments were performed to ascertain the role of circ_DLG1 in vivo.Results: The expression of circ_DLG1 was elevated in ESCC tissues, plasma and cells. Circ_DLG1 knockdown inhibited cell cycle, proliferation, migration and invasion. MAP3K9 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells, and its overexpression rescued the effects of circ_DLG1 knockdown. MiR-338-3p was a link between circ_DLG1 and MAP3K9, and circ_DLG1 regulated the expression of MAP3K9 by targeting miR-338-3p. The MAPK/ERK pathway was involved in the circ_DLG1/miR-338-3p/MAP3K9 regulatory axis. Circ_DLG1 knockdown blocked the tumor growth in vivo by regulating miR-338-3p and MAP3K9.Conclusion: Circ_DLG1 contributed to the malignant progression of ESCC by mediating the miR-338-3p/MAP3K9 axis via activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. This paper provided a novel action mode of circ_DLG1 in ESCC.
Increasing interprofessional socialization among psychology and nursing students by means of an educational intervention: A quasi-experimental study with a control group
Authors: González-Pascual Juan-Luis , Márquez Margarita G. , Rodríguez-Rey Rocío , Muñoz-Cobo Ana María , Pérez-Jiménez Juan Carlos
Published: March 2020

Background Interprofessional education helps health sciences students become better able to take part in future interprofessional collaborative practice. In general, interprofessional education activities seek to change knowledge levels, attitudes, and skills. However, a more ambitious objective would be to foster interprofessional socialization. Interprofessional socialization calls for the development of a dual identity: on the one hand, a professional identity, and on the other, an interprofessional identity as a member of a collaborative team. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interprofessional activity in increasing self-assessment scores regarding interprofessional socialization. Methods This was a quasi-experimental study. Sixty psychology and nursing students at a university were divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group participated in an activity designed in accordance with Khalili's interprofessional socialization framework. The control group performed their usual activities. Self-assessment of interprofessional socialization was measured in both groups using the Interprofessional Socialization and Values Scale (ISVS-21) before and after the activities. After the normality test, the inter-group difference (experimental vs. control groups) in the baseline ISVS score was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The intra-group variation (within each, the experimental group and control group) in the ISVS-21 score (pre-post change) was analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Results The baseline ISVS-21 score was 93 for the experimental group and 98 for the control group, p=0.321. The experimental group’s ISVS-21 score increased from 93 to 104 after the educational intervention, p<0.01. There were no statistically significant changes in the control group (p=0.174). Conclusions The educational activity, designed in accordance with the Khalili model and carried out with the nursing and psychology students, favors interprofessional socialization in a statistically significant way, as do other activities described in the scientific literature. This matter should be researched in greater depth, using comparative studies to analyze which activities are more effective and efficient.
Knowledge regarding cardiovascular risk factors among Chinese medical students
Authors: Jiang Xintong , Wang Xun , Yang Mengxi , Sun Li , Jin Jiangli , An Shuoyan , Feng Dongping , Zhou Mo , Wang Yu , Gao Si , Ren Jingyi
Published: March 2020

Background A comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is the foundation of CVD prevention and treatment. This study assessed the awareness of CVD risk factors and treatment among Chinese medical students. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 48 3 rd year medical students who had finished preclinical course of medicine and 61 4 th year medical students who had finished their rotation in Internal Medicine’s Ambulatory Medicine clerkship from Peking University. The knowledge of CVD risk factors and therapeutic strategy was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Results Only about 50% of the 4 th year students knew the target value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for diabetic patients and blood pressure for high-risk patients, while the proportions in 3 rd year students were 20.8% and 29.2%, respectively. Although more than 90% students would prescribe cholesterol-lowering therapy to high-risk patients, few students knew the therapy of hypertriglyceridemia (2.1% and 27.9% of 3 rd and 4 th year students, respectively, p =0.001) or combined dyslipidemia. The awareness of their own lipid profile or blood glucose level was not as good as their blood pressure. Conclusions There is an urgent need to improve the knowledge of CVD risk factors and the details of therapeutic strategies among Chinese medical students.
Augmented Reality in the Formation of Minimal Incision Podiatric Surgery.
Authors: Ferrer-Torregrosa Javier , Lorca-Gutiérrez Rubén , Martí-Martínez Luis Miguel , Fernández-Ehrling Nadia , Jiménez-Rodríguez Miguel Angel
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND: This project shows that the use of augmented reality (AR) technology in the study of podiatric surgery has a positive impact on student outcomes. AR technology can help to enrich the information that provides elements such as X-rays or other diagnostic tools.METHODS : A didactic material with augmented reality was created through the use of markers for the course subjects of Surgical Techniques II, e.g., the topic of hallux valgus surgery, and was compared with the didactic material for 5th metatarsal surgery using PowerPoint and video. The comparison was assessed by a validated questionnaire after providing 2 hours of teaching for each of the subjects to 80 students in a master of surgery program during the 2013-2017 academic years.RESULTS: Analysis of the components of the questionnaire showed that component 1. training, attention and motivation; component 2. freelance work; and component 4. 3D compression were statistically significant at p < 0.05. However, component 3, which compared the technologies used with cadaveric material, was not statistically significant regarding any of its items.CONCLUSION: The current study shows that using augmented reality technology for the study of minimally invasive surgery of the foot increases the attention, the motivation and therefore the learning of the students, in addition to providing three-dimensional images of the surgical movements that are more accurate regarding reality.
Adjuvant pelvic intensity-modulated radiotherapy and concurrent docetaxel and cisplatin chemotherapy for postoperative cervical cancer with adverse risk factors: a retrospective report on toxicity and outcome in a single institution
Authors: Zhang Guangyu , He Fangfang , Zhang Youzhong , Wu Haijian , Wang Qingwei , Wang Cong , Fu Chunli
Published: March 2020

Background: To retrospectively assess the toxicity of delivering postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and concurrent cisplatin and docetaxel chemotherapy to patients with cervical cancer and adverse risk factors.Methods: Every patient received postoperative IMRT and concurrent cisplatin and docetaxel chemotherapy. The clinical target volume (CTV) included the regional lymph node regions (obturator, common, internal, and external iliacs and presacral and para-aortic regions); the upper 2.0 cm of the vagina; and paravaginal soft tissue lateral to the vagina. Acute and late toxicities were scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) late radiation morbidity scoring criteria, respectively.Results: Seventy-six patients were treated with postoperative IMRT and concurrent cisplatin and docetaxel chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 32 months. Eight patients (10.5%) had recurrence—loco-regional recurrence in four patients (5.3%) and distant metastasis in four (5.2%). Acute grade ≥3 gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity occurred in one and five patients, respectively. One patient (1.3%) suffered from late grade 3 toxicities. Seventeen patients experienced ovarian transposition, 14 (82%) of whom maintained ovarian function. Seventy-four patients (97.4%) were alive at the last follow-up.Conclusions: Concurrent cisplatin and docetaxel chemotherapy with postoperative IMRT was safe and well tolerated, with acceptable acute and late toxicities. Moreover, the distant metastases control rates were encouraging, although loco-regional failure continued to be the primary mode of failure. Postoperative IMRT provides an opportunity to preserve endocrine function for patients with ovarian transposition.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of transarterial chemoembolization combined with stereotactic body radiation therapy versus transarterial chemoembolization for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma: A markov modelling study
Authors: wang haiyin , Gc Vijay , Zhang Sheng , Jin chunlin
Published: March 2020

Background Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) might both provide survival benefits for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Adopting combined therapy as a solution carries major cost and resource implications. We aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of TACE plus SBRT and TACE alone in inoperable HCC. Methods A Markov model was constructed in a hypothetical cohort of patients aged 60 years with inoperable HCC and Child-Pugh A/B cirrhosis over a lifetime frame. Two strategies (TACE plus SBRT and TACE) were compared. Transition probabilities, utility and costs were extracted from published literature. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were measured. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. Results TACE plus SBRT and TACE respectively produced 12.26 and 9.67 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The ICER of TACE plus SBRT versus TACE was $3,133/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that the utility of TACE combined with SBRT progress survival, probability of death from progress survival in TACE, and the initial cost of TACE combined with SBRT were the most sensitive parameters. The Monte-Carlo simulation demonstrated that the probability of cost-effectiveness at a willingness to pay threshold of US$ 29,440 per QALY was 95% and 5% for TACE plus SBRT and TACE. Conclusions This study indicated that TACE plus SBRT is cost-effective compared to TACE for inoperable HCC patients at a willingness to pay threshold as defined by WHO guidelines in China.
Upregulation of miRNA-202 promotes apoptosis and inhibits migration of glioma cell line via downregulation of ROCK1 gene
Authors: Behzadi Mousa , Hatami Hamed , Alian Fatemeh , Shojaee Maryam , Alimohammadi Masoumeh , Alizadeh-Fanalou Shahin , karami jafar
Published: March 2020

Background: We evaluated role(s) of miR-202 in glioma cell lines, its effect on ROCK1 expression, and also evaluation of apoptosis and migration of human glioma cell line after transfection with miR-202 mimics and inhibitors. Material and methods: The cell lines were transfected with mimic, inhibitor and NC of miR-202. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to evaluate the expression of miR‐202 and ROCK1 . Western blot was performed to detect the protein level of ROCK1. Furthermore, MTT and wound healing assay were performed to evaluate the effects of miR-202 on apoptosis and migration of human glioma cell line, respectively. Results: miR-202 showed a significantly decrease in human glioma cell lines, compared with the NHA cell line (P<0.05). The ROCK1 expression was significantly upregulated in glioma cell lines, compared with the NHA cell line ( P <0.05). Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between expression of ROCK1 and miR-202 ( P =0.01, r=-0.426). The mRNA and protein levels of ROCK1 were decreased in U87 cell line in miR-202 mimics group, compared with mimic NC group (P<0.05). In addition, apoptosis was significantly increased in miR-202 mimics, compared with the NC group in U87 cell line at 72 and 96 h (P<0.05). Furthermore, invasion showed a significant decrease in miR-202 mimic group, compared with U87 cell line at 24 and 48 h (P<0.05). Conclusions: The miR-202 could serve as a tumour-suppressor miRNA in glioma. Therefore, targeting ROCK1 by miR-202 may increase improve disease outcome and could be considered as a potential therapeutic target for glioma patients.
PHOX2B expression in bone marrow and peripheral blood is associated with metastasis and prognosis in patients with neuroblastoma
Authors: Fan Hongjun , Xing Tianyu , Hong Huimin , Duan Chao , Zhao Wen , Zhao Qian , Wang Xisi , Huang Cheng , Zhu Shuai , Jin Mei , Su Yan , Gao Chao , Ma Xiaoli
Published: March 2020

Background Paired-like homeobox 2B (PHOX2B) is specifically expressed in the nervous system including neuroblastoma cells, but little is known about the clinical significance of the expression of PHOX2B in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) samples of newly diagnosed neuroblastoma patients. Methods The expression of PHOX2B in 276 paired BM and PB samples of neuroblastoma patients at diagnosis was tested by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Then the relationship between PHOX2B level and clinical characteristics including metastasis and prognosis was explored by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and Kaplan-Meier method. Results We identified the combined expression of PHOX2B in both BM and PB provided a high diagnostic accuracy for metastasis of neuroblastoma patients (AUC = 0.920) with the sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% and 92.9%, respectively. At last, 246 patients were enrolled for prognostic analysis. The median follow-up time was 22 months. Positive expressions of PHOX2B in BM and PB at diagnosis were associated with worse EFS and OS in neuroblastoma patients (P < 0.05). What’s worse, 19.7% (31/157) and 6.4% (10/157) patients with positive expression of PHOX2B in BM and PB samples in low/intermediate-risk group also had shorter EFS and poor OS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The expressions of PHOX2B in BM and PB were high in patients with unfavorable clinical characteristics. PHOX2B could be an appropriate biomarker for predicting metastasis and prognosis in patients with neuroblastoma.
Effects of the Hallux Valgus Angle on One-Leg Stance and Gait Parameters in Young Adults: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Ji Minkyung , Park Hyodong , Lee Heeyeon , Yoo Minjoo , Ko Eunsan , Woo Youngkeun
Published: March 2020

Background Hallux valgus (HV) is the most common musculoskeletal deformity of the foot. This deformity is accompanied with pain and continues to decrease one’s quality of life. Furthermore, HV has been reported to affect gait ability and static stability. This study aimed to compare one-leg stance and gait between people with and without HV, and to investigate the effect of the HV angle on one-leg stance and gait ability. Methods Forty young adults with HV (6 men, 34 women) were enrolled. In the HV and normal groups, people who had undergone surgery or were unable to participate in the study because of pain in the lower extremity were excluded. Using the Zebris FDM model 1.5 (Zebris Medical GmbH, Isny, Germany), we analyzed gait parameters and one-leg stance in all subject to compare gait and static balance between the normal and HV groups. The obtained data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test to determine differences in one-leg stance and gait parameters between the group groups. In addition, a simple regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of the HV angle on one-leg stance and gait parameters. The significance level was set at ɑ=0.05. Results Significant differences were found in sway length and time change from the heel to forefoot during walking between the normal and HV groups. Most parameters were not associated with the HV angle, but a few one-leg stance and gait parameters were significantly associated with the HV angle. Conclusions These results suggest that most one-leg stance and gait parameters were not significantly affected by the HV angle in young adults; however, a few parameters were significantly different between the normal and HV groups. Because walking is a repetitive movement, young adults with HV could potentially have cumulative damage of the feet in later stages of life.
Potential value of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with bone sarcomas
Authors: Hu Hongzhi , Huang Xin , Yang Wenbo , Wang Shangyu , Zeng Qianwen , Li Yubin , Wang Baichuan , Shao Zengwu
Published: March 2020

Background Increasing evidence indicates the important value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in various cancers. In this meta-analysis, we will explore the potential role of pretreatment NLR in patients with bone sarcomas. Methods A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases for relevant articles was performed with the deadline of December 29, 2019. The hazard ratio (HR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to evaluate the association between NLR and overall survival (OS) in patients with bone sarcomas. Results A total of 1131 patients in 6 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR of 2.26 (95%CI: 1.83-2.69, p<0.001) indicated that an elevated NLR had an unfavourable eﬀect on OS. Subgroup analyses showed that elevated NLR was related to poor OS in patients with bone sarcomas, regardless of the type of cancer, ethnicity, sample size (≥200 or <200), the cut-off value for NLR (≥3 or <3), follow-up time (≥30 or <30) and paper quality (NOS scores ≥8 or <8). Additionally, the results of diagnosis analysis suggested that NLR had a relatively high diagnostic accuracy for bone sarcoma patients. Conclusion The results of this meta-analysis suggest that an elevated NLR is associated with poor survival of patients with bone sarcomas. Moreover, NLR had a relatively high diagnostic accuracy for bone sarcoma patients. All these findings suggest NLR might be a promising biomarker in the management of bone sarcomas.
An empirical investigation of the Fama-French five-factor model
Authors: Paliienko Oleksandr , Naumenkova Svitlana , Mishchenko Svitlana
Published: March 2020

The article deals with evaluating the securities portfolios in the process of transition from the one-factor CAPM model to the Fama-French five-factor model (FF5F). It identifies the advantages of the latter and discusses the controversial issues regarding its use by portfolio investors in different countries, given the anomalies inherent in asset pricing. Besides, the peculiarities of the statistical stratification method used in the FF5F model to group stock portfolios are revealed, and attention is drawn to some of the debating points of the five-factor model. The proposals have been formulated, which offer broader avenues for taking advantage of the FF5F model and increase the validity of the portfolio analysis results. The article also gives recommendations on modifying the approaches to analyzing small-size portfolios versus big-size portfolios based on partial changes in RMW and CMA factors, threshold proportions, and the use of STARR for asymmetric portfolios. The study substantiates the use of these approaches in testing the Fama-French five-factor model with portfolios composed of blue chips.
Heat Flow Behaviours of Distaloy AE Alloys Produced by Powder Metallurgy
Authors: ACAR Ayşe Nur
Published: March 2020

The alloying techniques are classified with pre-alloyed, pre-mixed and diffusion-bonded powders. Distaloy AE alloy used in this study is type of diffusion-bonded alloy including of Fe, Ni and Mo alloying elements and has high strengthening microstructures. In this study; hardness, density and heat flows distaloy AE samples prepared by powder metallurgy method performed. As hardness and density measurements of these samples, Brinell hardness measurements and Archimedes water displacement technique performed and heat flows of these alloys determined using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) device. These results supported by SEM images, EDS spectrums of alloys and also, crystal structures of these alloys determined by XRD patterns.
Design of Notched Rounded Bowtie Antenna for Ultra-Wideband Communication Systems
Authors: GENÇOĞLAN Duygu Nazan , ÇOLAK Şule
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a modified bowtie antenna structure is proposed for Ultra-Wideband communication systems. This antenna is obtained by rounding and notching the edges of antenna arms. Antenna parameters for the designed structure are examined according to the restrictions specified by Federal Communications Commission. Thus, Return Loss (S11), Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), gain, radiation pattern and impedance are observed in the 3.1 GHz - 10.6 GHz frequency range. Additionally, the effect of arm length and dielectric material on antenna performance are interpreted in the same range.According to obtained results, the proposed structure satisfies the bandwidth requirements for Ultra-Wideband systems. Gain and impedance variations are also in acceptable limits for Ultra-Wideband applications. The proposed antenna is analyzed through CST Microwave Studio program.
Prevalence of Legionella spp. and Escherichia coli in the drinking water distribution system of Wrocław (Poland)
Authors: Wolf-Baca M. , Siedlecka A.
Published: March 2020

Drinking water should be free from bacterial pathogens that threaten human health. The most recognised waterborne opportunistic pathogens, dwelling in tap water, are Legionella pneumophila and Escherichia coli. Drinking water samples were tested for the presence of Legionella spp., L. pneumophila, and E. coli in overall sample microbiomes using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) approach. The results indicate a rather low contribution of Legionella spp. in total bacteria in the tested samples, but L. pneumophila was not detected in any sample. E. coli was detected in only one sample, but at a very low level. The qacEΔ1 gene, conferring resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds, was also not detected in any sample. The results point to generally sufficient quality of drinking water, although the presence of Legionella spp. in tap water samples suggests proliferation of these bacteria in heating units, causing a potential threat to consumer health.
Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of Ciprofloxacin in the Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI) Model in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Reniguntla Mahesh Kumar , Yedle Randhir , Puttaswamy Ramesh , Puttarangappa Pradeep , Hiremath Somashekharayya , Pawar Avinash , Nanjundappa Mahesh , Jayaraman Ramesh
Published: March 2020

Background:

The translation of Pharmacokinetics (PK)/Pharmacodynamics (PD) from preclinical models
to the clinic has not been studied in detail for drugs used to treat complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI).

Objective:

The PK/PD of Ciprofloxacin (CIP), a drug used to treat cUTI, was evaluated in a mouse model of cUTI
infected with Escherichia coli, and compared with clinical PK/PD in cUTI patients.

Methods:

Streptozotocin induced diabetic female BALB/c mice were infected transurethrally with Escherichia coli.
Four hours post infection, CIP oral doses of 3, 10, 30,100, and 300 mg/kg, were administered as single doses (for PK
and dose response) and repeated doses (PD and PK/PD). Bacterial burden in kidneys, bladder, urine, body temperature,
and other clinical signs were assessed twenty-four hours post-treatment.

Results:

CIP displayed linear PK with dose proportional increase in Cmax and AUCinf in plasma. In PD time course
studies, CIP showed rapid onset, intensity and duration of anti-bacterial effect in target tissues. In intrinsic PD studies,
CIP showed a maximum effect at plasma AUC/MIC=1705 (300 mg/kg, twice daily) for bacterial load in bladder
(r2=0.979), kidney (r2=0.951) and rectal temperature (r2=0.67). A plasma AUC/MIC ratio of 412 was associated with
maximum PD effect of Imax=3.7 Log10CFU/bladder and Imax=1.97 Log10CFU/kidney. In dose fractionation studies,
plasma AUC/MIC ratio showed highest correlation with efficacy in bladder (r2=0.77) and kidney (r2=0.80) followed
by Cmax/MIC ratio in bladder (r2=0.68).

Conclusion:

Plasma AUC/MIC showed the highest correlation with the efficacy of Ciprofloxacin on E. coli in diabetic
mice with cUTI.
Cockroaches: Allergens, Component-Resolved Diagnosis (CRD) and Component-Resolved Immunotherapy
Authors: Sookrung Nitat , Tungtrongchitr Anchalee , Chaicumpa Wanpen
Published: March 2020

Allergic diseases are assuming increasing trend of prevalence worldwide. The diseases confer increasing demand on medical and healthcare facilities. Patients with allergies have poor quality of life and impaired cognition. Adult patients have subpar working efficiency while afflicted children are less effective at school, often have school absenteeism and need more attention of their caregivers. All of them lead to negative socio-economic impact. This narrative review focuses on cockroach allergy including currently recognized cockroach allergens, pathogenic mechanisms of allergy, componentresolved diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy, particularly the component-resolved immunotherapy and the molecular mechanisms that bring about resolution of the chronic airway inflammation.
A Review on High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Methods for the Determination of Metformin
Authors: Kaur Gagandeep , Garg Sonali , Sharma Pratima , Sud Dhiraj
Published: March 2020

Background:

The presence of pharmaceuticals (PACs) drugs in the environment and their
detection and quantification have emerged as one of the challenging issues for the scientific community.

Introduction:

The gold standard, an anti-diabetic drug, Metformin has a strong potential to contaminate the aquatic bodies, being a highly polar drug. Different analytical methods based on spectroscopic evaluation or chromatographic techniques have been developed to find out the concentration of drug/ their metabolites.

Methods:

This review article discussed the chromatographic techniques for analysis of Metformin (in ng/L to μg/L) in aqueous samples, pharmaceutical drugs and biological fluids such as urine and human plasma are High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC), High-Performance Thin-layer Chromatography (HPTLC), Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography HILIC–MS/MS, Liquid Chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS-MS), Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC).

Result:

The relevance modifications of traditional HPLC methods for separation of the mixture of drugs with a focus on the lesser time, better resolution, sensitivity, symmetry of peaks, the limit of detection and accuracy of the results has been envisaged through research findings. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) – tandem mass spectrometry method offered the possible solution for highly polar drugs detection and quantification in effluent and surface water samples.

Conclusion:

HPLC based analytical techniques offer the advantages viz. less time requirement, minimum usage of organic solvents and better separation and quantification of Metformin. The futuristic research approach lies in the development of newer extraction strategies, mobile phases and adsorbent materials for the HPLC based separations.
Effects of ADJUVANT Ketamine on Induction of Anesthesia for the Cesarean Section
Authors: Moradkhani Mahmoudreza , Hejri Paridokht , Nadri Sedigheh , Beiranvand Siavash
Published: March 2020

Background:

The cesarean section has shown an increasing trend within the past few
years. The use of appropriate and effective anesthesia for the procedure is important, not only to
reduce the incidence of maternal and fetal morbidities but also to reduce the incidence of intraoperative
consciousness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the intraoperative and postoperative
effects of adjuvant ketamine, when used in combination with general anesthesia.

Methods:

The study was conducted on the patients referred to Asali hospital for the cesarean section.
100 patients were assigned into two groups. Patients in Group A received thiopental (4 mg /
kg) as an anesthetic agent for the surgery, whereas those in group B received thiopental along with
0.5 mg/kg of intravenous ketamine. The effects of ketamine, such as depth of anesthesia, intraoperative
and postoperative awareness, vomiting and hallucination were recorded in the questionnaire
and data were statistically analyzed using SPSS v25.

Results:

Of 100 patients in group A, 10 of them were not deeply unconscious. 40 patients in group
A and 25 in group B had intraoperative awareness. Depth of anesthesia was significantly associated
with the use of ketamine (p = 0.0017) 1 patient in group A and 3 in group B had vomiting and 1
patient in group B was presented with the hallucinations. These parameters were not significantly
associated with the dose of ketamine (p = 0.5).

Conclusion:

Overall use of ketamine is associated with better sedation and no significant side effects,
with low doses of ketamine, were seen in our study. Comparative studies using other analgesics,
with larger sample size, are therefore recommended.
THE VIRTUE OF COMPROMISE
Authors: Eylon Yuval
Published: March 2020

Compromise is the virtue of political agents. This picture of the political is as common and familiar: politics is a realm where the reasonable, the compromising politicians get things done and the unreasonable and uncompromising are doomed to fringes. Thus, it is always right and reasonable make good compromises. The paper argues that under certain conditions, it is better and more effective to have non-compromising politicians. For example, think of a political party that every election moves towards the political center to maximize its chances of winning, but loses the elections at the cost of having the political center move further away from its original positions. If the process repeats itself, then a series of compromise would be disastrous, much as the considerations of the self-torturer are disastrous. Thus, there are systematic ways in which the reasonable compromises of a virtuous politician are sometimes (ultimately) unreasonable. Political virtue is all too often self-defeating, and therefore a curse in disguise.
COMPENSATION AS MORAL REPAIR AND AS MORAL JUSTIFICATION FOR RISKS
Authors: Hayenhjelm Madeleine
Published: March 2020

Can compensation repair the moral harm of a previous wrongful act? On the one hand, some define the very function of compensation as one of restoring the moral balance. On the other hand, the dominant view on compensation is that it is insufficient to fully repair moral harm unless accompanied by an act of punishment or apology. In this paper, I seek to investigate the maximal potential of compensation. Central to my argument is a distinction between apologetic compensation and non-apologetic compensation. Apologetic compensation, I argue, is an act that expresses regret and apology by means of some offer of money, goods, or services. Non-apologetic compensation is an act that seeks to restore loss or harm without expressing regret or apology. In the paper, I defend the view that acts of compensation can be apologetic and argue that such apologetic compensation is sufficient for moral repair.
POLITICAL PRAGMATISM AND ETHICS IN KAUTYLA’S ARTHASHASTRA: CONTRADICTION OR COMPLEMENTARITY
Authors: Bhattacharya Shreya , Saikia Kankana
Published: March 2020

Is there always an inherent contradiction between political pragmatism and ethics? This paper explores this through the classical Indian realist political treatise, the Arthashastra, written by Kautilya. He was the key advisor to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya (c. 317-293 B.C.E), credited with first consolidating the Indian subcontinent into an empire under centralized control. Kautilya is widely agreed to be a pioneer in developing a ‘science of politics’- a great departure from the hitherto existing moralistic, spiritual, ascetic preoccupations and, religious speculations of Indian political philosophy. Kautilya blurred the distinction between morality and political utility. Much of political theory tradition remains oblivious to Kautilya’s contribution to morality in realpolitik and his continuing influence in non-Western societies. His treatise is a significant point of entry into exploring the dilemmas attached to active pursuance of ethical goals while also balancing the imperatives underpinning political pragmatism- a concern which has carried on to this day.
INTRODUCTION
Authors: Abranches Alexandra
Published: March 2020

INTRODUCTION
A POLITICS WITHOUT COMPROMISE: THE YOUNG HEGELIANS AND POLITICS
Authors: García Vivien
Published: March 2020

This article aims at exploring how most of the Young Hegelians came to reject all forms of compromise. It will first show how Young Hegelianism itself was born from a process of radicalisation. Then, it will expound some of the theoretical developments that this process produced and explain why and how all forms of compromise came to be rejected. For Young Hegelians, a compromise is an antidialectical position. It consists in the adoption of a median posture, which does not correspond with a real mediation. It is a way of deflating conflicts and, more precisely, to avoid the oppositions at work in history being unveiled in their purity.
A REACTIONARY FASCINATION: EMIL CIORAN AND JOSEPH DE MAISTRE
Authors: Vanini Paolo
Published: March 2020

The aim of this paper is to examine Cioran’s interpretation of Maistre’s reactionary thought. Cioran judges the philosophical work of De Maistre as a useful instrument to investigate the Twentieth century ideological debate on Revolution, with specific reference to the issue of the engagement of philosophers in politics. Through the analysis of Maistre’s criticism of revolutionary thought at the time of the Enlightenment, Cioran proposes an insightful deconstruction of the ideological dichotomy between Reaction and Revolution. Indeed, the paper will show that Cioran’s understanding of De Maistre implies both a radical criticism of Sartre’s existentialism and an original interpretation of Schmitt’s Political Theology.
WHAT DOES BEING AN “ARISTOTELIAN” REALLY MEAN?
Authors: Çelik Sinan Kadir
Published: March 2020

The present paper presents two main arguments: 1) The meanings of terms like “(neo-) Aristotelian” or “Aristotelianism” have become extremely ambiguous in the present literature of ethics and political philosophy. These terms have even become confusing rather than being descriptive or explanatory. The following questions seem to have no proper answers: Who is actually “Aristotelian,” or “neo-Aristotelian,” to what extent and for what reasons? What does “(neo-) Aristotelian” really mean? 2) In order to give some clues to properly answer these questions, as its second argument, the present paper attempts to define the essential methodological characteristics of Aristotelian ethical/political exploration. To be called as an “Aristotelian,” a research should start from the methodological peculiarities of Aristotle’s practical philosophy that make a research “Aristotelian” rather than “Kantian” or “Hegelian.” In the second part of the paper, these peculiarities are defined as methodological prudence and medical dialectics, which are characteristic aspects of Aristotelian way of inquiry regarding ethics and political philosophy.
The Ecofisio Mobile App for Assessment and Diagnosis Using Ultrasound Imaging for Undergraduate Health Science Students: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lozano-Lozano Mario , Galiano-Castillo Noelia , Fernández-Lao Carolina , Postigo-Martin Paula , Álvarez-Salvago Francisco , Arroyo-Morales Manuel , Cantarero-Villanueva Irene
Published: March 2020

Background

Generation Z is starting to reach college age. They have adopted technology from an early age and have a deep dependence on it; therefore, they have become more drawn to the virtual world. M-learning has experienced huge growth in recent years, both in the medical context and in medical and health sciences education. Ultrasound imaging is an important diagnosis technique in physiotherapy, especially in sports pathology. M-learning systems could be useful tools for improving the comprehension of ultrasound concepts and the acquisition of professional competencies.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and use of an interactive platform accessible through mobile devices—Ecofisio—using ultrasound imaging for the development of professional competencies in the evaluation and diagnosis of sports pathologies.

Methods

Participants included 110 undergraduate students who were placed into one of two groups of a randomized controlled multicenter study: control group (ie, traditional learning) and experimental group (ie, Ecofisio mobile app). Participants’ theoretical knowledge was assessed using a multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ); students were also assessed by means of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Moreover, a satisfaction survey was completed by the students.

Results

The statistical analyses revealed that Ecofisio was effective in most of the processes evaluated when compared with the traditional learning method: all OSCE stations, P<.001; MCQ, 43 versus 15 students passed in the Ecofisio and control groups, respectively, P<.001. Moreover, the results revealed that the students found the app to be attractive and useful.

Conclusions

The Ecofisio mobile app may be an effective way for physiotherapy students to obtain adequate professional competencies regarding evaluation and diagnosis of sports pathologies.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04138511; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04138511