bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Perencanaan Karir Terhadap Komitmen Karir dan Kepuasan Karir melalui Pengembangan Karir sebagai Variabel Intervening
Authors: Febriansah Rizky Eka
Published: November 2019

The idea of empowering human resources to create the best service for customers can be started through employee’s career planning in an organization by using HR practices and policies to develop a variety of mindset, abilities, and competencies with the ultimate goal of acquiring new consumers while maintaining existing customers. This study explores the relationship between career development towards career satisfaction along with career commitment via career development as an intervening variable. The research sample of 37 employees from the Business Service Division of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia showed that there was a significant relationship amongst career planning along with career satisfaction, career planning along with career commitment, as well as career planning along with career satisfaction through career development.
Design and Implementation of Solder Paste Dispenser Based on Linear Drive System
Authors: Yunardi Riky Tri , Zulfiar Moh. Zakky , Putri Rr. Wanda Auruma , Arifianto Deny
Published: November 2019

In the technology to create prototypes for electronic hardware is usually constructed using surface mount device printed circuit board (SMD PCB). In this paper introduces the design and implementation of low-cost electrical solder paste dispenser that supports the PCB solder process. The design consists of a nozzle and linear drive systems based on stepper motors operating with electric power to push the plunger down to drop the solder paste on the board. To test the performance of solder paste that has been designed verified by experiment. Solder paste dispenser design was tested using SMD resistor with the solder pads of different sizes for R0603, R0805, and R1206 on PCB. The results showed that the design of the prototype was able to put the pasta in various field pads between 0.54 mm2, 0.91 mm2 and 1.44 mm2 for standard solder pads with an error in the 2% - 5%. Based on the results, the device has been shown to potentially be used to attach electronic components to printed circuit boards.
English Vocabulary Achievement Through Telling Stories Using Pictures in Islamic Elementary School
Authors: Aminulloh Aminulloh , Safi'i Asropi , Rahman Muhammad Eka
Published: November 2019

This reserch focuses on English vocabulary achievement through telling stories Using pictures. The general  problem of this research is How far is the English vocabulary achievement through telling stories using pictures of the fifth year student of MIMA KH Siddiq Jember?". In this research the quantitative data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Based on the description from data analysis, the result of students’ English vocabulary achievement through telling stories was 76, 6. After consulting to the table score classification levels, the score lied in the interval of 66 to 75. This meant that the English vocabulary achievement by telling stories using pictures of the fifth year students of MIMA KH Siddiq Jember is enough. Since, the result of this research was enough; it is possible supported by the student's activity in learning English, the teaching learning process and the school facilities.
Preliminary application of 3.0T magnetic resonance chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging in brain metastasis of lung cancer
Authors: Yang Yonggui , QU Xiaobo , HUANG Yihui , Khan Afsar , Yan Gen , GUO Gang , DUAN Shaoyin
Published: November 2019

Background: Lung cancer brain metastases are very common and one of the common causes of treatment failure. We aimed to examine the clinical use of chemical exchange saturation transfer(CEST) technology in the evaluation of brain metastases for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
Methods: We included26 cases of lung cancer brain metastases, 15 cases of gliomas, and 20 cases with normal tests. The magnetization transfer ratio (MTR;3.5ppm) image from the GRE-EPI-CEST sequence was analyzed using the ASSET technique and APT technology. The MTR values were measured in the lesion-parenchymal, edema, and non-focus regions, and the MTR image was compared with the conventional MRI. ANOVA and t-test were used for statistical analysis.
Results: The lesion-parenchymal, edema, and non-focus areas in the metastatic-tumor-group were red-yellow, yellow-green, and green-blue, and the MTR values were 3.29±1.14%,1.28±0.36%,and 1.26±0.31%, respectively. However, in the glioma-group, the corresponding areas were red, red-yellow, and green-blue, and the MTR values were 6.29±1.58%, 2.87±0.65%, and 1.03±0.30%, respectively. The MTR values of the corresponding areas in the normal-group were 1.07±0.22%,1.04±0.23%, and 1.06±0.24%, respectively. Traditional MR images are in black-white contrast and no metabolic information is displayed.
The MTRvalues of the three regions were significantly different among the three groups. The values were also significantly different between the parenchymal and edema areas in the metastatic-tumor-group. There were significant differences in the MTR values between the non-lesion and edema regions, but there was no significant difference between the edema and non-focus areas. In the glioma-group, there were significant differences in the MTR values between the parenchymal and edema areas, between the parenchymal and non-focus areas, and between the edema and non-focus areas.
Conclusions: CEST reflects the protein metabolism; therefore, early diagnosis of brain metastases and assessment of the prognosis can be achieved using molecular imaging.
Pediatric congenital buttock sinus tract: 10-year experience in a single institution
Authors: Wang Kai , Peng Chunhui , Pang Wenbo , Wang Dayong , Zhang Tingchong , Wang Zengmeng , Wu Dongyang , Chen Yajun
Published: November 2019

Purpose: To review our experience with pediatric congenital buttock sinus tract, and to conclude the clinical characteristics and management of the disease.
Methods: Twenty-two pediatric patients diagnosed with congenital buttock sinus tract were included. Medical records were reviewed, and the patients were followed up. Continuous variables were presented by median and range. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages.
Results: Among the 22 patients, there were 8 boys (36.4%) and 14 girls (63.6%). The median first onset age was 42 months, and the range was 5 months to 12 years old. Admission age was 69.5 months, with a range from 14 months to 12 years old. Overall prior treatment time was 11 months, ranging from 3 months to 11 years. Twenty-one patients had definite congenital dimples since birth, and later manifested with infection through the dimple. All patients came to the doctor with complaint of the infection. The number of invasive procedures ranged from 0 to 5, with an average of 2. Radiology could exactly display the morphology and show the termination as a retrorectal cyst. The surgical procedure was adopted trans-fistula tract, and the pathological results showed a dermoid cyst in 11 patients and an epidermoid cyst in 10 patients. During the follow-up period of 34.5 months (range, 2 months to 8 years), 19 patients were uneventful and 3 patients suffered recurrence. Two of them underwent a second operation and had no recurrence ever since. The third patient did not receive a second operation, and the refractory infection was still present.
Conclusions: Pediatric congenital buttock sinus tract is rare and has a female predominance in the morbidity. Patients have a distinctive congenital dimple on the buttock with recurrent infection, and there usually exists a congenital sinus tract from the dimple to the retrorectal space. Total excision is the only method for the cure. The nature of the disease is a retrorectal developing dermoid cyst or epidermoid cyst.
Keywords: Pediatric, Buttock sinus tract, Retrorectal cyst, Treatment, Prognosis
Pulmonary Metastasectomy versus Continued Active Monitoring in Colorectal Cancer (PulMiCC): a multi-centre randomized clinical trial
Authors: Treasure Tom , Farewell Vern , Macbeth Fergus , Monson Kathryn , Williams Norman R , Graves Chris-Brew , Lees Belinda , Grigg Olivia , Fallowfield Lesley
Published: November 2019

Abstract (348/of 350 allowed)
Background: Lung metastasectomy in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer has been widely adopted without good evidence of survival or palliative benefit. We aimed to test its effectiveness in a randomised trial (RCT).

Methods: Multidisciplinary teams in 13 hospitals recruited participants with potentially resectable lung metastases to a multicentre 2-arm RCT comparing active monitoring with or without metastasectomy. Other local or systemic treatments were decided by the local team. Randomisation was remote and stratified by site with minimisation for age, sex, primary cancer stage, interval since primary resection, prior liver involvement, the number of metastases, and carcinoembryonic antigen. The central trial management group were blind to patient allocation until completion of the analysis. Analysis was on intention to treat with a margin for non-inferiority of 10%.

Results: Between December 2010 and December 2016, 65 participants were randomised. Characteristics were well-matched in the two arms and similar to those in reported studies: age 35 to 86 (Inter Quartile Range (IQR) 60 to 74); primary resection IQR 16 to 35 months previously; stage at resection T1, 2 or 3 in 3, 8 and 46; N1 or N2 in 31 and 26; unknown in 8. Lung metastases 1 to 5 (median 2); 16/65 had previous liver metastases; carcinoembryonic antigen normal in 55/65. There were no other interventions in the first 6 months, no cross overs from control to treatment, and no treatment-related deaths or major adverse events. Hazard ratio for death within 5 years, comparing metastasectomy with control, was 0.82 (95%CI 0.43, 1.56).

Conclusions: Because of poor and worsening recruitment, the study was stopped. The small number of participants in the trial (N=65) precludes a conclusive answer to the research question given the large overlap in the confidence intervals in the proportions still alive at all time points. A widely held belief is that the five-year absolute survival benefit with metastasectomy is about 35%: 40% after metastasectomy compared to <5% in controls. The estimated survival in this study was 38% (23-62%) for metastasectomy patients and 29% (16-52%) in the well-matched controls. That is the new and important finding of this RCT.

Funding: Cancer Research UK funding Grant No. C7678/A11393
Trial registration: Clintrial.gov
Registration number: NCT01106261
Date 19 th April 2010
The efficacy of iCBT added to treatment as usual for alcohol dependent patients in Primary Care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Hyland Karin , Hammarberg Anders , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Johansson Magnus , Andreasson Sven
Published: November 2019

Introduction Alcohol dependence is a common disorder with a continuum regarding severity. Most alcohol dependent persons have a moderate level of dependence and live under socially orderly conditions. Treatment seeking in this group is low, mainly due to stigma and because treatment options are seen as unappealing. Alcohol is a relevant topic to discuss in many primary care (PC) consultations and PC is less stigmatizing to visit compared to addiction care units for people with alcohol problems. General practitioners (GP) hesitate to engage in treating alcohol problems due to time constraints and lack of knowledge. Screening and brief interventions are effective for high consumers but there are few studies on dependence. Methods This is a two-group, parallel, randomized controlled trial (RCT). The aim is to study whether an Internet based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (iCBT) when added to treatment as usual (TAU) is more effective than TAU only for alcohol dependence in PC. 260 adults with alcohol dependence will be included. Participants are randomized to iCBT and TAU or TAU only. The primary study outcome is alcohol consumption in grams per week and heavy drinking days. Secondary outcomes include alcohol related problem severity, number of diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence, depression and anxiety symptoms, health related quality of life and biochemical markers for high consumption and liver pathology. Data will be analyzed using mixed-effect models. Discussion Internet based interventions are attractive to and have been shown to reach people with alcohol problems. Yet there are no studies investigating the efficacy of internet treatment of alcohol dependence in PC. In this study we hypothesize that iCBT when added to TAU will improve treatment outcome for alcohol dependence in PC, compared to TAU only. If effective, iCBT can be distributed to the public to a low cost for a stakeholder and has the opportunity to reduce both short term and long-term public health costs. Trial registration: ISRCTN69957414. Retrospectively registered 07/06/2018. http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN69957414
Pathogenetic approach to the treatment of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and their intersection: Results of the Russian Observation Retrospective Program COMFORT
Authors: Ivashkin Vladimir , Poluektova Elena , Glazunov Alexey , Putilovskiy Mikhail , Epstein Oleg
Published: November 2019

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the novel complex drug, consisting of released-active form of antibodies to S-100 protein, tumor necrosis factor-α and histamine, (Kolofort) under outpatient conditions in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and their combination. Methods The subject of the observational noninterventional retrospective program was the data of 14,362 outpatient records of patients with diagnosed FD, IBS, and/or their combination who received the drug Kolofort in monotherapy for 12 weeks, 2 tablets twice a day. To assess the presence and severity of symptoms of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (FD GIT), a questionnaire “7*7” developed by a working group from the Russian Gastroenterological Association was used. The evaluated parameters included the proportion of patients: who had a reduction in the number of points by 50% or more; who have decreased the severity category of the condition; who have switched to the “healthy” and “borderline ill” severity categories;and the change in the number of points in domains 1–7. Results The final efficacy analysis included data from 9,254 patients. A decrease in the number of points by 50% or more was observed in 80.45% of patients with FD, 79.02% of patients with IBS, and in 83% of patients with both IBS and FD. A decrease in the severity category of the condition at the end of therapy was noted in 93.35% of patients with FD, in 93.80% of cases in patients with IBS, and in 96.17% of cases in patients with a combination of IBS and FD.A total of 94 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 80 patients (0.65%). Conclusion The COMFORT program has demonstrated the positive effect of treatment in the majority of patients with IBS and FD and their combination in real clinical practice.
Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid) – a novel biomarker for acute kidney injury in sepsis: An observational study.
Authors: Rosenqvist Mari , Bronton Kevin , Hartmann Oliver , Bergmann Andreas , Struck Joachim , Melander Olle
Published: November 2019

Background. Sepsis is a leading cause of death worldwide and a major challenge for physicians to predict and manage. Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid) is a reliable surrogate marker for the more unstable endogenous opioid peptide enkephalin, which has previously been shown to predict both acute and chronic kidney disease. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess penKid as a predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI), multi-organ failure and mortality in sepsis among unselected sepsis patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Method. We enrolled 644 patients consecutively during office-hours (6AM-6PM) between December 1, 2013 and February 1, 2015. 56 patients were excluded due to incomplete data. We measured penKid in 588 adult patients (patients under 18 years of age were excluded) with sepsis (≥2SIRS criteria + suspected infection) upon admission to the ED at Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. Logistic regression analysis was used to relate levels of penKid at presentation to AKI, multi-organ failure, 28-day mortality and progression of renal SOFA subscore. Odds ratios are presented as the number of standard deviations from the mean of log-transformed penKid. Results. In age and sex adjusted models, penKid predicted AKI within 48 hours and 7 days, but these associations were attenuated after additional adjustment for estimated creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In models adjusted for age, sex and eGFR, penKid significantly predicted progression from rSOFA=0 and ≤1 to higher rSOFA scores as well as multi-organ failure and mortality. In contrast, eGFR did not predict 28-day mortality. Conclusion. PenKid is an effective predictor of renal injury, severe multi-organ failure and mortality in unselected sepsis patients presenting to the emergency department.
Breaks Labeling in situ and sequencing (BLISS)
Authors: Yan Winston X. , Mirzazadeh Reza , Garnerone Silvano , Scott David , Schneider Martin W. , Kallas Tomasz , Custodio Joaquin , Li Yinqing , Gao Linyi , Federova Yana , Wernersson Erik , Zetsche Bernd , Zhang Feng , Bienko Magda , Crosetto Nicola
Published: November 2019

Precisely measuring the location and frequency of DNA double-strand breaks \(DSBs) along the genome is instrumental to understanding genomic fragility, but current methods are limited in versatility, sensitivity, or practicality. Here, we present Breaks Labeling _In Situ_ and Sequencing \(BLISS), featuring: 1) direct labeling of DSBs in fixed cells or tissue sections on a solid surface; 2) low-input requirement by linear amplification of tagged DSBs by _in vitro_ transcription; 3) quantification of DSBs through unique molecular identifiers; and 4) easy scalability and multiplexing. We apply BLISS to profile endogenous and exogenous DSBs in low-input samples of cancer cells, embryonic stem cells, and liver tissue. We demonstrate the sensitivity of BLISS by assessing the genome-wide off-target activity of two CRISPR-associated RNA-guided endonucleases, Cas9 and Cpf1, observing that Cpf1 has higher specificity than Cas9. Our results establish BLISS as a versatile, sensitive, and efficient method for genome-wide DSB mapping in many applications.

W.Yan and R.Mirzazadeh equally contributed to this work.
Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency and Hemoglobinopathy in South Western Region Nepal: A Boon or Burden
Authors: Gautam Narayan , Gaire Bhagwati , Manandhar Trishna , Marasini Bishnu P , Parajuli Niranjan , Lekhak Sunil P , Nepal Monica
Published: November 2019

Objectives: The study was carried out to optimize the phenotypic method to characterize the sickle cell trait (SCT), sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and β-thalassemia (β-TT) suspected sample from tharu community of South Western province-5, Nepal. SCT and SCA were further evaluated by genotypic method employing amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS PCR). Moreover, Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) was estimated in those hemoglobinopathy to observe its prevalence. The accurate and reliable method can play an important role in reduction of morbidity and mortality rate.
Results: The 100 suspected cases were subjected to phenotypic method adopting cellulose acetate electrophoresis and genotypic metod using ARMS PCR which portraits (5%) SCA positive test showing HBS/HBS, (38%) SCT positive trait HBA/HBS and (36%) cases normal HBA/HBA. β-TT (21%) cases were confirmed by electropherogram. G6PD deficiency was observed in (40%) of SCA, (18.4%) of SCT, (4.8%) of β-TT and (2.8%) in normal cases. Increased G6PD were developed only in SCT (5.3 %) and β-TT (4.8%). The study highlighted sickle cell disorder (SCD) and β-TT as the most common hemoglobinopathy coexisting with G6PD deficiency. Though hemoglobinopathy sometime could be protective in malaria but G6PD deficiency can cause massive hemolysis which may exacerbate the condition.
Investigating the Causal Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Quality of Care under a Universal Health Insurance System – A Marginal Structural Model Approach
Authors: Cho Hoyune E. , Wang Lu , Chen Jung-Sheng , Liu Mochuan , Kuo Chang-Fu , Chung Kevin
Published: November 2019

Background: Social disparities in healthcare persist in the US despite the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. We investigated the causal impact of socioeconomic status on the quality of care in a setting with minimal confounding bias from race, insurance type, and access to care.
Methods: We designed a retrospective population-based study with a random 25% sample of adult Taiwan population enrolled in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance system from 2000 to 2016. Patient’s income levels were categorized into low-income group (<25th percentile) and high-income group (≥25th percentile). We used marginal structural modeling analysis to calculate the odds of hospital admissions for 11 ambulatory care sensitive conditions identified by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the odds of having an Elixhauser comorbidity index greater than zero for low-income patients.
Results: Among 2,844,334 patients, those in lower-income group had 1.28 greater odds (95% CI 1.24 – 1.33) of experiencing preventable hospitalizations, and 1.04 greater odds (95% CI 1.03 – 1.05) of having a comorbid condition in comparison to high-income group.
Conclusions: Income was shown to be a causal factor in a patient’s health and a determinant of the quality of care received even with equitable access to care under a universal health insurance system. Policies focusing on addressing income as an important upstream causal determinant of health to provide support to patients in lower socioeconomic status will be effective in improving health outcomes for this vulnerable social stratum.
Genome-wide identification of the Dicer-like family in cotton and analysis of the DCL expression modulation in response to biotic stress in two contrasting commercial cultivars
Authors: Moura Marianna de Oliveira , Fausto Anna Karoline S , Fanelli Amanda , Guedes Fernanda A de F , Silva Tatiane da F , Romanel Elisson , Vaslin Maite F S
Published: November 2019

Background Dicer-like proteins (DCLs) are fundamental players in RNA-silencing mechanisms acting in gene regulation via miRNAs and in antiviral protection in plants, in addition to being related to other biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite be identified in some crops, cotton DCLs weren't characterized until now. Here we characterize the DCLs of three cotton species and analyzed their expression profiles during biotic stress. Results We identified 11 DCLs in the allotetraploid cotton Gossypium hirsutum and 7 and 6 in the diploid G. arboreum and G. raimondii, respectively. Among some DCL duplication observed in these genomes, we observe the presence of an extra DCL3 in the three cotton species, not found in others eudicots until now. All the DCL types identified by in silico analysis in the allotetraploid cotton genome were able to generate transcripts, as observed by gene expression analysis in distinct tissues. Based on the importance of DCLs for plant virus defense, responses of cotton DCLs to virus infection and/or herbivore attack using two commercial cotton cultivars (cv.), one susceptible (Fibermax 966) and another resistant (Delta Opal) to polerovirus CLRDV infection were analyzed. Both cvs. responded differently to virus infection. At the initial stages, 24dpi, the resistant cv. showed strong induction of DCL2a and b, while the susceptible cv. showed a down-regulation of these genes, wherever DCL4 expression was highly induced. Herbivore attack did not induce contrasting profiles between cotton DCLs transcripts in either cotton cv. Conclusions The allotetraploide cotton G. hirsutum has almost all DCLs found in their diploid relative and duplication of DCL2 and DCL3 were found in the three species. All the four classes of DCL respond to aphid attack and virus infection in G. hirsutum, however, remarkable differences in DCL initial responses against the virus itself may be responsible for the virus susceptible and/or resistant phenotype of the contrasting cotton cv. studied.
A novel individualized strategy for cryoballoon catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Ding Jun , Xu Jing , Ma Wei , Chen Bingwei , Yang Peigen , Qi Yu , Sun Shan , Cheng Aijuan
Published: November 2019

Background : The optimal dosage for cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (Cryo-AF) is still unknown. To evaluate the efficacy of an individualized freeze duration, we compared the clinical outcome of patients treated with a time-to-pulmonary vein isolation (TT-PVI) or temperature-guided ablation protocol to the outcome of patients treated with a conventional ablation protocol. Methods: A total of 164 consecutive patients were included in the study. One method employed was a conventional dosing protocol (at least 2 applications of 180 seconds each)(the Cryo-AF Conventional group n=84), and the second method had a shorter protocol that was based on the TT-PVI or achievement of -40°C within 60 seconds (the Cryo-AF Dosing group n=80). Results: We treated 656 pulmonary veins (PVs) with 1420 cryotherapy applications. The mean number of applications per patient was 8.7±0.8, with no difference between groups (Cryo-AF Conventional , 8.7±0.8 versus Cryo-AF Dosing ,8.6±0.8; P =0.359). The Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total cryotherapy application time (990.60±137.77versus 1501.58±89.60 seconds; P <0.001) and left atrial dwell time (69.91±6.91 versus 86.48±7.03 minutes; P <0.001) than the Cryo-AF Conventional group. Additionally, the Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total procedure time (95.03±6.50 versus 112.43±7.11 minutes; P <0.001). We observed acute ATP-induced or spontaneous vein electric reconnections in 13 veins (1.98%) after 20 minutes. The reconnection rates between the Cryo-AF Conventional and Cryo-AF Dosing groups were similar in that 2.98% and 0.94% of the initially isolated veins were reconnected, respectively, ( P =0.061). There was no difference in the recurrence rate of free atrial arrhythmia after a 1-year follow-up, which were 78.75% in the Cryo-AF Dosing group versus 78.57% in the Cryo-AF Conventional group ( P =0.978). Conclusion: A novel Cryo-AF dosing protocol guided by temperature or the TT-PVI can be used to individualize an ablation strategy. This new protocol can lead to a significant reduction in duration of the procedure, the cryoenergy dosage and the left atrial dwell time. The procedure had equal safety and similar acute and 1-year follow-up outcomes compared to the conventional approach.
Dectin-1/Syk signaling triggers neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke in mice
Authors: Ye Xin-chun , Hao Qi , Ma Wei-jing , Zhao Qiu-chen , Wang Wei-wei , Yin Han-han , Zhang Tao , Wang Miao , Zan Kun , Yang Xin-xin , Zhang Zuo-hui , Shi Hong-juan , Zu Jie , Raza Hafiz Khuram , Zhang Xue-ling , Geng De-qin , Hu Jin-xia , Cui Gui-yun
Published: November 2019

Background: Dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1 (Dectin-1) receptor has been reported to be involved in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury. The present study was designed to investigate the role of Dectin-1 and its downstream target spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in early brain injury after ischemic stroke using a focal cortex ischemic stroke model. Methods: Adult male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a cerebral focal ischemia model of ischemic stroke. The neurological score, adhesive removal test, and foot-fault test were evaluated on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after ischemic stroke. Dectin-1, Syk, phosphorylated (p)-Syk, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was analyzed by western blotting in ischemic brain tissue after ischemic stroke and in BV2 microglial cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury in vitro. The brain infarct volume and Iba1-positive cells were evaluated using Nissl’s and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. The Dectin-1 antagonist laminarin (LAM) and a selective inhibitor of Syk phosphorylation (piceatannol, PIC) were used for intervention. Results: Dectin-1, Syk, and p-Syk expression was significantly enhanced on days 3, 5, and 7 and peaked on day 3 after ischemic stroke. The Dectin-1 antagonist LAM or Syk inhibitor PIC decreased the number of Iba1-positive cells and TNF-α and iNOS expression, reduced the brain infarct volume and improved neurological functions on day 3 after ischemic stroke. In addition, the in vitro data showed that Dectin-1, Syk, and p-Syk expression was increased following the 3-hour OGD followed by 0, 3, and 6 hours of reperfusion in BV2 microglial cells. LAM and PIC also reduced TNF-α and iNOS expression 3 hours after OGD/R induction. Conclusion: Dectin-1/Syk signaling plays a crucial role in inflammatory activation after ischemic stroke, and further investigation of Dectin-1/Syk signaling in stroke is warranted.
Association of bovine uterine involution disturbances with serum neuropeptide concentrations
Authors: Abultdinova Aida , Jakupov Issatay , Roth Joachim , Failing Klaus , Wehrend Axel , Sickinger Marlene
Published: November 2019

Background: Puerperal diseases influence fertility and should be diagnosed as soon as possible. The present study aimed to evaluate the applicability of serum concentrations of substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and IL‑1β in the early diagnosis of uterine involution disturbances. Blood serum samples of 86 dairy cows from 6 different farms were harvested within the first 20 days after calving from cows with uterine involution disturbances and healthy controls, respectively. Serum concentrations for SP, VIP and IL‑1β were determined using commercially available ELISA test kits. Statistical analyses included timely changes in blood serum levels and group comparisons of healthy cows and cows with uterine disease. Results: SP-concentrations increased significantly within 20 days after calving (P < 0.04) with no significant difference between the groups. No significant differences could be shown for VIP and logIL-1β. Conclusion: None of the examined serum parameters seems suitable as indicator of uterine involution disorders. Due to the timely changes in serum concentrations of SP after calving, a correlation to diseases might not be precluded though. Further research is needed with regard to the establishment of normative values concerning this parameter.
Internship Programs for Undergraduate Health Informatics Students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Altuwayrib Saleh , Win Khin Than
Published: November 2019

Background Internship program is one of the experiential learning methods that enable students to gain practicum experience and learn from specialised people. This type of learning is a professional gateway to integrate knowledge with practical application. This study defines the state of health informatics internship programs in Saudi Arabia and examines the difference between interns and graduated students’ perceptions about the experience of health informatics internship programs in Saudi hospitals. Methods An online survey was constructed and distributed to health informatics students through social media platforms and specialised groups. The sample size included 89 participants from different universities across Saudi Arabia regions. Results The findings indicate that the majority of participants believe that internship programs have a positive impact on students’ skills and provide students with non-monetary incentives. ANOVA analysis and t-test results indicated that there is no significance difference between the interns and graduates perceptions (p-value 0.495, alpha value 0.005) Conclusion Health informatics internship programs in the Kingdom should consider some aspects: the selection criteria of internship sites, the linkage between education outcomes and Saudi labour market needs, effective experiential learning methods, well-defined structure of health informatics internship program and competencies framework.
Disentangling the mechanisms shaping the surface ocean microbiota
Authors: Logares Ramiro , Deutschmann Ina M. , Junger Pedro C. , Giner Caterina R. , Krabberød Anders K. , Schmidt Thomas S.B. , Rubinat-Ripoll Laura , Mestre Mireia , Salazar Guillem , Ruiz-González Clara , Sebastián Marta , de Vargas Colomban , Acinas Silvia G. , Duarte Carlos M. , Gasol Josep M. , Massana Ramon
Published: November 2019

Background The ocean microbiota modulates global biogeochemical cycles and changes in its configuration may have largescale consequences. Yet, the underlaying ecological mechanisms structuring it are unclear. Here we investigate how fundamental ecological mechanisms (selection, dispersal and ecological drift) shape the smallest members of the tropical and subtropical surface-ocean microbiota: prokaryotes and minute eukaryotes (picoeukaryotes). Furthermore, we investigate the agents exerting abiotic selection on this assemblage as well as the spatial patterns emerging from the action of ecological mechanisms. To explore the previous, we analysed the composition of surface-ocean prokaryotic and picoeukaryotic communities using DNA-sequence data (16S- and 18S-rRNA genes) collected during the circumglobal expeditions Malaspina-2010 and TARA-Oceans. Results We found that the two main components of the tropical and subtropical surface-ocean microbiota, prokaryotes and picoeukaryotes, appear to be structured by different ecological mechanisms. Picoeukaryotic communities were predominantly structured by dispersal-limitation, while prokaryotic counterparts appeared to be shaped by the combined action of dispersal-limitation, selection and drift. Temperature-driven selection appeared as a major factor influencing species co-occurrence networks in prokaryotes but not in picoeukaryotes, indicating that association patterns may contribute to understand ocean microbiota structure and response to selection. Other measured abiotic variables seemed to have limited selective effects on community structure in the tropical and subtropical ocean. Picoeukaryotes displayed a higher spatial differentiation between communities and a higher distance decay when compared to prokaryotes, consistent with a scenario of higher dispersal limitation in the former after considering environmental heterogeneity. Lastly, random dynamics or drift seemed to have a more important role in structuring prokaryotic communities than picoeukaryotic counterparts. Conclusions The differential action of ecological mechanisms seems to cause contrasting biogeography, in the tropical and subtropical ocean, among the smallest surface plankton, prokaryotes and picoeukaryotes. This suggests that the idiosyncrasy of the main constituents of the ocean microbiota should be considered in order to understand its current and future configuration, which is especially relevant in a context of global change, where the reaction of surface ocean plankton to temperature increase is still unclear.
The predictive value of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio in the prognosis of acute coronary syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Run-Chang , Zhang Qing , Zhang Cun-Tai , Sun Lei , Quan Xiao-Qing
Published: November 2019

The association between the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not fully understood. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the correlation between LMR and mortality or major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with ACS.Methods A systematic search was performed in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of science. The association between LMR and mortality or MACE was analyzed in patients with ACS. The search was updated to August 1, 2019.Results A total of 5 studies comprising 3122 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that lower LMR predicted short-term mortality/MACE (odds ratio [OR] = 2.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–5.94, P = 0.022) and higher long-term mortality/MACE (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.06–4.19, P = 0.035). According to our subgroup analysis, there still has a statistical significance for LMR predict short-term mortality/MACE in lager sample size researches (≥600, OR = 3.50, 95% CI: 1.84–6.67, p < 0.001),Turkey researches (OR = 4.16, 95% CI: 2.32–7.46, p < 0.001), younger patients researches (< 62, OR = 3.76, 95% CI: 2.29–6.18, p < 0.001).Conclusions This study suggested that lower LMR value might be associated with higher short-term mortality/MACE and long-term mortality/MACE in patients with ACS.
Confrontation in ‘Confrontation’: A Multimodal Analysis of Bob Marley’s Lyrics
Authors: Amenorvi Cosmas Rai
Published: November 2019

This study investigates multimodally the theme of confrontation in Bob Marley’s posthumous Confrontation album. Specifically, the study analyses how the theme of confrontation is conveyed by the artwork of the album cover design. Besides, the study shows linguistically, literarily and by any other aesthetic ways how the theme of confrontation runs through the album. Findings reveal that the artwork of the album cover design speaks volumes without words and is embedded with conscious sophistication in projecting the theme of confrontation. Linguistically, Marley employs deliberate and conscious fiery lexical items inherently confrontational in projecting the theme of confrontation. Literarily, repetition, allusion, pleonasm and metaphors among others play the key role of confrontation in the Confrontation album. Finally, the name of the album, the name of each song and their numerical placement reveal the other aesthetic ways that the theme of confrontation is projected in Marley’s Confrontation, making the album not just a lyrical genius but a discourse masterpiece.
Heavy Metal Contamination in the Floodplains Along Mula River, Pune District, Maharashtra State, India
Authors: Supekar Ashwini , Issac Ashok , Rane Ashwini
Published: November 2019

Pre-urban, urban and post-urban stretch of the Mula River in Pune District of Maharashtra (India) is examined for quantification of heavy metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd), calculation of the Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Contamination Factor (CF). They were estimated from the surface sediments (0-5 cm) at 10 sampling sites along the Mula river. High Cr anomaly (Max. 388.20 ppm) followed by Co (Max. 104.91 ppm), Ni (Max. 167.44 ppm), Cu (Max. 391.35 ppm), Zn (Max. 507.91 ppm) and Cd (Max. 2.38 ppm) is seen at various locations mostly encompassing the urban stretch. PLI is found to be high i.e., >1 in urban sites like Khadki, Kalyaninagar and Kharadi than the rural downstream sites. There is negligible mobility of the heavy metals and the urban floodplains are increasingly accumulating the heavy metals to a highly hazardous level.
Decolorization of Reactive Blue 220 aqueous solution using fungal synthesized Co3O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Valappil Riya Sidhikku Kandath , Vijayanandan Ajuy Sundar , Balakrishnan Raj Mohan
Published: November 2019

In this work, the photocatalytic activity of the biosynthesized cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticle (NP) is investigated using a textile dye Reactive Blue 220 (RB220) and decolorization % was monitored using UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The photocatalytic activity has been observed maximum at alkaline pH of 9, NP dosage of 250 mg/L, and reaction time of 270 min. In the presence of UV light irradiation, a maximum dye concentration of 10 mg/L was treated effectively using 150 mg/L NP, and 67% decolorization was achieved. Reaction kinetics has been analyzed, and the reaction followed the pseudo kinetics model with an activation energy of −484 kJ mol−1.
Major ion chemistry and water quality assessment of groundwater in the Shigaze urban area, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Li Yingzhi , Liu Jiutan , Gao Zongjun , Wang Min , Yu Leqi
Published: November 2019

Shigaze city is situated in the southwestern Tibetan Plateau and is the second largest city in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Groundwater is the major source of domestic and drinking water for urban inhabitants. In this study, the major ion chemistry and a water quality assessment of groundwater were studied using geochemical methods and fuzzy comprehensive assessment. Groundwater was classified as slightly alkaline soft and hard freshwater, and the influence of anthropogenic activities on groundwater was relatively weak. The dominant cations and anions were Ca2+ and Mg2+ and HCO3− and SO42−, respectively. Overall, the mean concentrations of major ions in groundwater increase gradually over time, except for NO3−; however, the mean value of pH decreases over time. Most groundwater samples belong to the type of HCO3-Ca, and the groundwater has a trend of evolution from HCO3-Ca to the mixed type. Rock weathering was the main hydrogeochemical process controlling groundwater hydrochemistry, and the dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals were the primary contributors to the formation of the major ion chemistry of groundwater. Major ions of groundwater in the urban area of Shigaze are below the standard limits, and the groundwater is excellent for drinking according to the fuzzy comprehensive assessment.
Effects of post anaerobic digestion thermal hydrolysis on dewaterability and moisture distribution in digestates
Authors: Svennevik Oda K. , Solheim Odd Egil , Beck Greeley , Sørland Geir H. , Jonassen Kjell R. , Rus Ester , Westereng Bjørge , Horn Svein J. , Higgins Matthew J. , Nilsen Pål J.
Published: November 2019

Organic waste fractions such as sewage sludge, food waste and manure can be stabilized by anaerobic digestion (AD) to produce renewable energy in the form of biogas. Following AD, the digested solid fraction (digestate) is usually dewatered to reduce the volume before transportation. Post-AD treatments such as the Post-AD thermal hydrolysis process (Post-AD THP) have been developed to improve the dewatering, but the mode of action is not well understood. In this study, samples from 32 commercial full-scale plants were used to assess the impact of Post-AD THP on a broad range of raw materials. Maximum dewatered cake solids after Post-AD THP was predicted by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Post-AD THP changed the moisture distribution of the samples by increasing the free water fraction. A consistent improvement in predicted dewatered cake solids was achieved across the 32 samples tested, on average increasing the dry solids concentration by 87%. A full-scale trial showed that dewatering Post-AD THP digestate at 80 °C improved dewatered cake solids above the predictions by TGA at 35 °C. In conclusion, dewatered cake solids were significantly improved by Post-AD THP, reducing the volume of dewatered cake for disposal.
The Effects of Amoxicillin, Cefazolin, and Gentamicin Antibiotics on the Antioxidant System in Mouse Heart Tissues
Authors: Savcı Ahmet , Koçpınar Enver Fehim , Budak Harun , Çiftci Mehmet , Şişecioğlu Melda
Published: November 2019

Background:

Free radicals lead to destruction in various organs of the organism. The improper use of antibiotics increases the formation of free radicals and causes oxidative stress.

Objective:

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of gentamicin, amoxicillin, and cefazolin antibiotics on the mouse heart.

Methods:

20 male mice were divided into 4 groups (1st control, 2nd amoxicillin, 3rd cefazolin, and 4th gentamicin groups). The mice in the experimental groups were administered antibiotics intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg / kg for 6 days. The control group received normal saline in the same way. The gene expression levels and enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST, and G6PD antioxidant enzymes were investigated.

Results :

GSH levels decreased in both the amoxicillin and cefazolin groups, while GR, CAT, and SOD enzyme activities increased. In the amoxicillin group, Gr, Gst, Cat, and Sod gene expression levels increased.

Conclusion:

As a result, it was concluded that amoxicillin and cefazolin caused oxidative stress in the heart, however, gentamicin did not cause any effects.
NeuroCS: A Tool to Predict Cleavage Sites of Neuropeptide Precursors
Authors: Wang Ying , Kang Juanjuan , Li Ning , Zhou Yuwei , Tang Zhongjie , He Bifang , Huang Jian
Published: November 2019

Background:

Neuropeptides are a class of bioactive peptides produced from
neuropeptide precursors through a series of extremely complex processes, mediating neuronal
regulations in many aspects. Accurate identification of cleavage sites of neuropeptide precursors is
of great significance for the development of neuroscience and brain science.

Objective:

With the explosive growth of neuropeptide precursor data, it is pretty much needed to
develop bioinformatics methods for predicting neuropeptide precursors’ cleavage sites quickly and
efficiently.

Method :

We started with processing the neuropeptide precursor data from SwissProt and
NueoPedia into two sets of data, training dataset and testing dataset. Subsequently, six feature
extraction schemes were applied to generate different feature sets and then feature selection
methods were used to find the optimal feature subset of each. Thereafter the support vector machine
was utilized to build models for different feature types. Finally, the performance of models were
evaluated with the independent testing dataset.

Results:

Six models are built through support vector machine. Among them the enhanced amino
acid composition-based model reaches the highest accuracy of 91.60% in the 5-fold cross
validation. When evaluated with independent testing dataset, it also showed an excellent
performance with a high accuracy of 90.37% and Area under Receiver Operating Characteristic
curve up to 0.9576.

Conclusion:

The performance of the developed model was decent. Moreover, for users’
convenience, an online web server called NeuroCS is built, which is freely available at
http://i.uestc.edu.cn/NeuroCS/dist/index.html#/. NeuroCS can be used to predict neuropeptide
precursors’ cleavage sites effectively.
Aging and Neuroinflammatory Disorders: New Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Gambino Caterina M. , Sasso Bruna Lo , Bivona Giulia , Agnello Luisa , Ciaccio Marcello
Published: November 2019

:

Chronic neuroinflammation is a common feature of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in various
neurodegenerative age-associated disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease,
and dementia.

:

In particular, persistent low-grade inflammation may disrupt the brain endothelial barrier and cause a significant
increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune cells into the cerebral tissue that, in turn, leads to microglia
dysfunction and loss of neuroprotective properties.

:

Nowadays, growing evidence highlights a strong association between persistent peripheral inflammation, as well
as metabolic alterations, and neurodegenerative disorder susceptibility. The identification of common pathways
involved in the development of these diseases, which modulate the signalling and immune response, is an important
goal of ongoing research.

:

The aim of this review is to elucidate which inflammation-related molecules are robustly associated with the risk
of neurodegenerative diseases. Of note, peripheral biomarkers may represent direct measures of pathophysiologic
processes common of aging and neuroinflammatory processes. In addition, molecular changes associated with the
neurodegenerative process might be present many decades before the disease onset. Therefore, the identification
of a comprehensive markers panel, closely related to neuroinflammation, could be helpful for the early diagnosis,
and the identification of therapeutic targets to counteract the underlying chronic inflammatory processes.