bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated serum CA 19-9 level, combined with D-dimer, could detect the presence of ruptured ovarian endometriosis
Authors: Shuang Ting , Zhao Lanbo , Zhang Kailu , Wang Yiran , Yin Panyue , Guo Lin , Jing Wei , Feng Xue , Li Qiling
Published: June 2020

Background: Ovarian endometriosis (OE) is a common type of endometrioma, which is a benign disease of gynecology. For the diagnosis of OE, ultrasonography is a very effective and straightforward. OE rupture is rare, and there is still a lack of a non-invasive and effective method for diagnosis. Elevated serum CA19-9 or CA-125 levels are typically applied as biomarkers for malignancy, besides, the CA-125 and CA19-9 levels have been recommended as a useful marker for the diagnosis of endometriosis. We aimed to clarify the clinical importance of serum CA19-9, CA-125 level, and plasma D-dimer (D-D) for detecting spontaneously ruptured ovarian endometriosis.Results: Among the 21 patients of rupture OE, 16 with a history of detected pelvic cysts, 19 claimed sudden onset of lower abdominal pain, however, only 6 patients detected fluid accumulation in the cul-de-sac by ultrasound. For the serological investigation, the serum CA19-9 was significantly elevated in the ruptured OE group (343.09±367.67 U/ml vs. 36.84±40.01U/ml, P<0.0001). D-D was also abnormally elevated in the ruptured OE group (3.39±4.90 mg/L vs. 0.43 ± 0.29 mg/L, P <0.0001). The AUC value for the combined CA19-9 and D-D was 0.975 (95% CI, 0.939 -0.993), with the highest specificity of 96.69, and sensitivity of 85.71.Conclusion: The combination of serum CA19-9 and plasma D-D levels could serve as an effective biomarker to identify patients with spontaneously ruptured ovarian endometriosis pre-operatively in the context of clinical assessment.
Investigating The Definitions of Metabolic Syndrome Among High School Students in Taipei and The Optimal Cutoff Points of Relevant Risk Factors
Authors: Lin Shao Chia Chiu , Chen Mei-Ju
Published: June 2020

Background: The effects of different definitions for metabolic syndrome (MetS) on its prevalence were examined, and the differences in the discriminatory power, as well as the optimal cutoff points of relevant risk factors, were analyzed in this study. Methods: 45,756 health checkup data sets from 2011 to 2014 of high school students aged between 15 to 17 years were sourced in Taipei city. The database included the students’ gender, age, height, weight, waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as biochemical markers such as triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting glucose (FG) levels. The ROC curve statistical approach was used to analyze the discriminatory power and optimal cutoff points of the relevant MetS risk factors. Results: The prevalence of MetS among adolescents in Taipei was 2.3% and 1.2%, according to the criteria of the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) respectively. The prevalence increased to 4.3% when this study’s criteria were used. Among the components of MetS analyzed, WC and TG had stronger discriminatory powers, while FG had the weakest. The optimal cutoff point for WC was approximately the 90 th percentile, while that for the TG was similar to the criteria of the modified NCEP ATP III. About 44.6% of adolescents had at least one MetS component. Body mass index also had good discriminatory power. Conclusions: The prevalence of MetS differs depending on the diagnostic criteria used. Redefining the cutoff points for the components of MetS in adolescents in different regions, as well as further screening and intervention, are crucial to prevent cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the future.
Comparison Of SARS-CoV-2 Virus Variant Genomes Detected In China and USA
Authors: Sahingil Mehmet Cihan , OZKAZANC Yakup
Published: June 2020

In spreading period of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is the cause of COVID-19 in the world, it is seen that the genome of the virus mutates and this mutation processes generates new SARS-CoV-2 variants. In this study we investigated the variant genomes which were detected in China and USA. The publicly available SARS-CoV-2 virus genomes, which were detected in human body are multi-aligned and the obtained results reported. There are 87 genomes for China variants and 200 for USA variants in the used data. The analyses are made for each domain of the genomes. The analysis results show that, the variant genomes in the investigated two groups of SARS-CoV-2 have some similar mutation characteristics as well as some characteristic features that differ from each other. The nucleotide mutations in 8782 (C>T mutation) and 28144 (T>C mutation) are common for both of the variant groups. However, in USA variant group some other mutation positions on the variants’ genome were detected. The percentage of missense mutations detected in USA variants is higher than the percentage of synonymous mutations. On the other hand, the percentage of synonymous mutations is higher than the percentage of missense mutations for the variants detected in China. Additionally, the domains where the most mutations are detected on the genome are the regions that affect the interaction of the virus with the host.
In vitro and in vivo efficacy of the novel oral proteasome inhibitor NNU546 in multiple myeloma
Authors: Zhou Hui , Lei Meng , Wang Wang , Guo Mengjie , Wang Jia , Zhang Haoyang , Qiao Li , Feng Huayun , Liu Zhaogang , Chen Lijuan , Hou Jianhao , Wang Xueyuan , Gu Chenxi , Zhao Bo , Gu Chunyan , Izumchenko Evgeny , YANG YE , Zhu Yongqiang
Published: June 2020

Background

Proteasome inhibition demonstrates highly effective impact on multiple myeloma (MM) treatment. Here, we aimed to examine anti-tumor efficiency and underlying mechanisms of a novel well tolerated orally applicable proteasome inhibitor NNU546 and its hydrolyzed pharmacologically active form NNU219.
Methods

Enzyme activities and inhibition assays was performed to evaluate the effect of NNU219 on proteasome. To explore the anti-MM activity of NNU219 and its related mechanism, multiple in vitro assays such as cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis assays, Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and ubiquitination, NF-κB inhibition assay were conducted. Furthermore, in vivo studies were performed to determine the effects of NNU219 on tumors.
Results

NNU219 showed more selective inhibition to proteasome catalytic subunits and less off-target effect than bortezomib ex vivo. Moreover, intravenous and oral administration of either NNU219 or NNU546 led to more sustained pharmacodynamic inhibitions of proteasome activities compared with bortezomib. Importantly, NNU219 exhibited potential anti-MM activity in both MM cell lines and primary samples in vitro. The anti-MM activity of NNU219 was associated with induction of G2/M-phase arrest, as well as induction of apoptosis via activation of the caspase cascade and endoplasmic reticulum stress response. At well-tolerated doses, significant growth-inhibitory effects of NNU219 and NNU546 were observed in 3 different human MM xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, such observation was even found in the presence of a bone marrow microenvironment.
Conclusion

Taken together, these findings provided the basis for clinical trial of NNU546 to determine its potential as a candidate for MM treatment.
Management of Acute Asthma in Southeast Asian Tertiary Care.
Authors: POH MAU-ERN , AMPIKAIPAKAN SUNDARI , LIAM CHONG-KIN , CHAI CHEE-SHEE , RAMANAIDOO DEVENTHARI , MYDIN HELMY HAJA
Published: June 2020

Background: There have been limited reports looking into acute asthma care for patients admitted to tertiary hospitals in Southeast Asia. This study aims to determine the extent in which the 2019 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines were being met. It highlights aspects of excellent clinical management and areas requiring improvement. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study of patients with acute asthma exacerbations admitted to the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL), Malaysia from 1st July 2019 to 31st December 2019. Results: Of 172 patients admitted, 67.4% were females. There was proper documentation of asthma control assessment (100%), baseline controller and reliever medications (100%), peak expiratory flow measurements (78%), and inhaler technique review (69.8%). However, there was poor documentation of written asthma action plans (25%). 51.2% had not been admitted in the previous year. At baseline, 90% of patients had been prescribed inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). However, 40.5% of patients were not compliant with controller medications. Based on the GINA assessment for asthma control, 68% had uncontrolled asthma. While 91.9% of patients had a previous diagnosis of asthma, only 48.8% of patients had objective testing to support the diagnosis. All patients with newly-diagnosed asthma (8.1%) were commenced on a corticosteroid-containing-inhaler. Conclusion: Although acute asthma management in tertiary hospitals in Southeast Asia is relatively congruous with international guidelines, there is room for improvement. As the majority of patients found to have uncontrolled asthma were non-compliant with their controller medications, efforts to increase awareness on the perils of uncontrolled asthma is warranted.
High-throughput amplicon sequencing reveals the spatiotemporal effects, abiotic and biotic shaping factors for the microbial communities in tropical mangrove sediments in Sanya, China
Authors: Qu Wu , Gao Boliang , Wu Jie , Jin Min , Wang Jianxin , Zeng Runying
Published: June 2020

Background

Microbial roles in element cycling and nutrient providing are crucial for mangrove ecosystems and serve as important regulators for climate change in Earth ecosystem. However, some key information about the spatiotemporal influences and abiotic and biotic shaping factors for the microbial communities in mangrove sediments remains lacking.
Methods

In this work, 22 sediment samples were collected from multiple spatiotemporal dimensions, including three locations, two depths, and four seasons, and the bacterial, archaeal, and fungal community structures in these samples were studied using amplicon sequencing.
Results

The microbial community structures were varied in the samples from different depths and locations based on the results of LDA effect size analysis, principal coordinate analysis, the analysis of similarities, and permutational multivariate ANOVA. However, these microbial community structures were stable among the seasonal samples. Linear fitting models and Mantel test showed that among the 13 environmental factors measured in this study, the sediment particle size (PS) was the key abiotic shaping factor for the bacterial, archaeal, or fungal community structure. Besides PS, salinity and humidity were also significant impact factors according to the canonical correlation analysis (p ≤ 0.05). Co-occurrence networks demonstrated that the bacteria assigned into phyla Ignavibacteriae, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteria were the key biotic factors for shaping the bacterial community in mangrove sediments.
Conclusions

This work showed the variability on spatial dimensions and the stability on temporal dimension for the bacterial, archaeal, or fungal microbial community structure, indicating that the tropical mangrove sediments are versatile but stable environments. PS served as the key abiotic factor could indirectly participate in material circulation in mangroves by influencing microbial community structures, along with salinity and humidity. The bacteria as key biotic factors were found with the abilities of photosynthesis, polysaccharide degradation, or nitrogen fixation, which were potential indicators for monitoring mangrove health, as well as crucial participants in the storage of mangrove blue carbons and mitigation of climate warming. This study expanded the knowledge of mangroves for the spatiotemporal variation, distribution, and regulation of the microbial community structures, thus further elucidating the microbial roles in mangrove management and climate regulation.
Identification of potent COVID-19 main protease (MPRO) inhibitors from flavonoids
Authors: Chauhan Anita , Kalra Seema
Published: June 2020

COVID-19 epidemic that commenced in Wuhan in December 2019 has spread worldwide within a few months. Currently, there are no targeted therapeutics and effective treatment options remain very limited. Mpro is a key CoV enzyme, which plays a pivotal role in viral replication and transcription, making it an attractive drug target for this virus. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of flavonoids as drug target molecules against COVID-19 Mpro by molecular docking study. COVID-19 Mpro was docked with 14 flavonoid compounds as well as 4 already existing drugs and the binding energies were determined.Based on the results,we have identified two potential flavonoids with high binding capacity and possible drug candidates. This study will pave a way for doing advanced experimental research to evaluate the real medicinal potential of these compounds to cure COVID-19.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and its Association with PD-L1 and CD8 T cells in Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Aghajani Marra , Yang Tao , Schmitz Ulf , James Alexander , McCafferty Charles Eugenio , Souza Paul de , Niles Navin , Roberts Tara
Published: June 2020

Background: Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has recently been shown to play a role in the regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in some cancers. However, the relationship between PD-L1 expression, EMT and the inflammatory tumour microenvironment has yet to be investigated in thyroid cancer. Methods: To address this issue, we examined the expression of CD8, PD-L1 and the EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin in a cohort of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients and investigated the association of these with clinicopathologic characteristics and disease-free survival (DFS). CD8 T cells, PD-L1 and EMT status was assessed in 74 patients with PTC via immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship between PD-L1 and EMT was further investigated in three thyroid cancer cell lines (8505C, K1 and FTC-133) via western blot and live cell imaging In order to expand our in vitro findings, the normalised gene expression profiles of 516 thyroid cancer patients were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). An EMT score of each thyroid cancer sample was calculated and correlated with PD-L1 gene expression, or the mean expression of IFN signature genes. Results: PD-L1 positivity was significantly higher in PTC patients exhibiting a mesenchymal phenotype ( p = 0.012). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that PD-L1 ( p = 0.045), CD8 ( p = 0.038) and EMT status ( p = 0.038) were all significant predictors for DFS. Sub-analysis confirmed that the poorest DFS was evident in PD-L1 positive patients with EMT features and negative CD8 expression ( p < 0.0001). IFN-γ treatment induced upregulation of PD-L1 and significantly promoted an EMT phenotype in two thyroid cancer cell lines. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PD-L1 signalling may play a role in stimulating EMT in thyroid cancer. EMT, CD8 and PD-L1 expression may serve as valuable predictive biomarkers in patients with PTC. The combination of EMT inhibitors with immunotherapies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis may be beneficial in cancer patients with mesenchymal metastatic thyroid cancers.
Designing soil quality and climate assessment tool for sustainable production of signalgrass (Brachiaria brizantha) silvopasture system in mountain ecosystems
Authors: Suryanto Priyono , Faridah Eny , Triyogo Ananto , Kastono Dody , Suwignyo Bambang , Nurmalasari Aprilia Ike , Alam Taufan
Published: June 2020

Evironmental indicators are the elements required to plan sustainable forest management practices. This assessment was carried out based on indicators that are sensitive to management and changes in the soil, climate, and associated functions. This study aims at determining soil quality and climate that affect the production of signalgrass silvopasture system in mountain ecosystems. The survey-based study was conducted during dry and wet seasons in 2017-2018. We used stratified random sampling method. Stratification was based on site (agroforestry phase) and environment (season and year). Site nested on environment. Agroforestry phases consisted of initial phase (<50% of the shade intensity of the sun), intermediate phase (50-70% of the shade intensity of the sun), and advanced phase (>70% of the shade intensity of the sun). Seasons were divided into two, dry season (rainfall < 60 mm.month-1) and wet season (rainfall > 100 mm.month-1) and years were limited from 2017 to 2018. The observation was conducted on 30 environmental parameters and signalgrass productions. The data was analyzed using linear mixed models, analysis of variance (ANOVA), structural equation modelling (SEM), and stepwise regression. The study results indicate that the highest signalgrass production at the initial agroforestry phase was 4.50 tons.ha-1. There is a very significant decrease in signalgrass production at the intermediate agroforestry phase by 36.64 % and at the advanced agroforestry phase by 280.80 %, compared to the initial agroforestry phase. The signalgrass production was increased very significantly influenced by the increase in cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic carbon (SOC), air temperature (Tair), and wind speed (U2). In addition, it was also significantly influenced by available nitrate (NO3-). Signalgrass production can be improved by the assessment tools by improving CEC, NO3-, SOC, U2 , and Tair with routine organic matters application and annual pruning.
Regression models for prediction of leaf area in purple ipe [Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart.)]
Authors: Santos Jéssica Sayuri Hassuda , Santos Karina Tiemi Hassuda dos , Oliveira Vinicius de Souza , Santos Gleyce Pereira , Menezes Luis Fernando Tavares de , Czepak Marcio Paulo , Falqueto Antelmo Ralph , Aoyama Elisa Mitsuko , Schmildt Omar , Schmildt Edilson Romais
Published: June 2020

Besides its medicinal and ornamental use, Tabebuia impetiginosa is also very economically important. The achievement of accurate and easy-to-perform tools to determine its leaf area is fundamental for understanding the interaction between the plant and the environment. The objective of this work was to obtain regression equations by using several models that use allometric measurements of the fifth leaflet and to select the most accurate one to determine the leaf area of composite leaves of Tabebuia impetiginosa Mart. in a non-destructive way. By using the dimensions of the fifth leaflet such as - length (LFL in cm), maximum width (WFL in cm) and the product between LFL and WFL (LWFL) of leaf limb, the equations were estimated for linear, quadratic, potential and exponential linear models. The results showed that the determination of leaf area could be performed with excellent precision for leaves of different sizes of this species, using the product of the measurements of length and width of the fifth leaflet. The equation that best expresses the leaf area estimate of the composite leaf of Tabebuia impetiginosa is ELACL = 8.7772 + 2.3840 (LWFL).
NMR-based metabolomics reveals effect of Ganoderma boninense infection on oil palm leaf at 30 days post-infection
Authors: Isha Azizul , Yusof Nor Azah , Osman Rosiah , Wong Mui-Yun , Abdullah Siti Nor Akmar
Published: June 2020

Basal stem rot is the major disease in oil palm industry that caused by a fungal named Ganoderma boninense (G. boninense) species. Infected palms are symptomless at the early stage of this disease which imposes difficulties in detecting the disease. Therefore, this study was carried out to obtain the 1H NMR metabolomic profiling of both non-infected and G. boninense infected oil palm leaf at 30 days post-infection (dpi). This combination has provided a rapid approach in investigating the changes in the compound variations of non-infected and G. boninense infected oil palm leaf. Non-infected and G. boninense infected oil palm leaf at 30 dpi was extracted using aqueous methanol (methanol: water, 80: 20 v/v). The crude extracts obtained were analyzed by 1H NMR-based metabolomics approach. Analysis of metabolomics data from 1H NMR was conducted by multivariate data analysis of principal component analysis (PCA). Significant differences were found between the two groups. Compared to the non-infected leaf, the G. boninense infected leaf had higher relative abundance of choline, asparagine, alanine, succinic acid, gallic acid, epicatechin, trimethylamine, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetyltyrosine, β-sitosterol, 2,3-butanediol, lactic acid, caffeic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, α-tocopherol, β-cryptoxanthin and kaempferol. The non-infected leaf showed higher level of sucrose, xylose, α-glucose, S-sulfocysteine and indole-3-acetic acid. NMR-based metabolomics applied in this study reveals that G. boninense alters a manifold of primary and secondary compounds in oil palm leaf.
Plant parasitic nematodes occurrence and genetic diversity of banana cultivars grown in Tanzania
Authors: Mgonja Doreen M. , Temu Gladness E. , Lyantagaye Sylvester L. , Makaranga Abdalah , Ndunguru Joseph C. , Luambano Nessie D.
Published: June 2020

The genetic diversity of bananas (Musa spp.), one of the most economically important crops in Tanzania, is underestimated with scarce reports available. In addition, cultivation of banana is severely constrained by plant parasitic nematodes (PPN). We assessed genetic diversity and population structure of 159 banana varieties from four agro-ecological zones (Northern, Southern highlands, Lake and Zanzibar islands) of Tanzania using 20 SSR markers analysed with UPGMA method. We also, assessed the PPN occurrence through isolation and counting of PPN from each banana genotype where leaf samples were collected. SSR primer pairs were polymorphic; and generated 63 distinct reproducible bands. The polymorphic information content values of each SSR marker ranged from 0.50 to 0.75 indicating high level of genetic diversity among banana varieties. The 159 banana varieties were grouped into two clusters: A and B, based on UPGMA cluster and population structure analysis. A total of 128 independent and 31 overlapping genotypes were identified. Higher kinship among genotypes was observed in cluster A compared with cluster B. Some of the clusters in A and B genotypes showed high genetic distance. The most prevalent and abundant nematode species was Pratylenchus goodeyi with a mean count of 63%, followed by Radopholus similis (31%) and P. coffeae (6%). The results from this study provides a foundation for understanding genetic variability of bananas existing in Tanzania and PPN occurrence that will be valuable information for breeding disease and pest-resistant bananas with high yield traits.
Mutual Coupling Reduction in Microstrip Antennas using Defected Ground Structure
Authors: Nguyen Lan Ngoc
Published: June 2020

A Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna with high isolation is proposed in this paper. The proposed antenna includes two sets of four elements (2 x 2) and it is yielded at the central frequency of 5.5 GHz for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) applications. Based on RT5880 with height of 1.575 mm, the overall size of MIMO antenna is 140 x 76 x 1.575 mm3. To get high isolation between antenna elements, a Defected Ground Structure (DGS) is integrated on ground plane. Besides, the MIMO antenna witnesses a large bandwidth of 9.1% and an efficiency of 90% while the pick gain is 8.5 dBi. The measurement results are compared to simulation ones to verify the performance of the proposed antenna.
Monitoring agricultural drought using geospatial techniques: a case study of Thal region of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Amin Muhammad , Khan Mobushir Riaz , Hassan Sher Shah , Khan Aftab Ahmad , Imran Muhammad , Goheer Muhammad Arif , Hina Syeda Mahlaqa , Perveen Abida
Published: June 2020

The Thal region of Punjab often experiences dry weather conditions with extreme variability in rainfall on a spatiotemporal scale during Rabi cropping season. The current study assesses the impacts of agricultural drought on wheat crops for 2000–2015. MOD13Q1 and CHIRPS data were used for identifying and assessing variation in agricultural drought patterns and severity. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Stress Vegetation Index (STVI) and wheat crop yield anomalies were computed to characterize the gravity of drought across the Thal region. The results indicate that the wheat Rabi cropping seasons of the years 2000–2002 experienced extreme agricultural drought, with a spatial difference in severity level causing low and poor yield, while the years 2011 and 2014 were almost normal among all the years, leaving varied impacts on wheat yield. The combined agricultural risk map was generated by integrating the agricultural and meteorological droughts severity maps. The combined risk map generated using weighted overlay analysis of all the parameters indicate that the total Thal area can be classified into slight, moderate and no drought covering 28.12, 12.76, and 59.12% respectively of the total area. Hence an agricultural risk map would be extremely helpful as a tool to guide the decision-making process for monitoring drought risk on agricultural productivity.
Astroglial Connexins in Neurological and Neuropsychological Disorders and Radiation Exposure
Authors: Liu Yuan Duo , Tang Ge , Qian Feng , Liu Lian , Huang Jiang Rong , Tang Feng Ru
Published: June 2020

Radiotherapy is a common treatment for brain and spinal cord tumors and also a risk
factor for neuropathological changes in the brain leading to different neurological and neuropsychological
disorders. Astroglial connexins are involved in brain inflammation, development of
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), depressive, epilepsy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and are affected
by radiation exposure. Therefore, it is speculated that radiation-induced changes of astroglial
connexins may be related to the brain neuropathology and development of neurological and
neuropsychological disorders. In this paper, we review the functional expression and regulation of
astroglial connexins expressed between astrocytes and different types of brain cells (including oligodendrocytes,
microglia, neurons and endothelial cells). The roles of these connexins in the development
of AD, depressive, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and brain inflammation have
also been summarized. The radiation-induced astroglial connexins changes and development of
different neurological and neuropsychological disorders are then discussed. Based on currently
available data, we propose that radiation-induced astroglial connexins changes may be involved in
the genesis of different neurological and neuropsychological disorders which depends on the age,
brain regions, and radiation doses/dose rates. The abnormal astroglial connexins may be novel
therapeutic targets for the prevention of radiation-induced cognitive impairment, neurological and
neuropsychological disorders.
Applications of Nanocarriers as Drug Delivery Vehicles for Active Phytoconstituents
Authors: Ng Phui Qi , Ling Laura Soon Cheau , Chellian Jestin , Madheswaran Thiagarajan , Panneerselvam Jithendra , Kunnath Anil Philip , Gupta Gaurav , Satija Saurabh , Mehta Meenu , Hansbro Philip Michael , Collet Trudi , Dua Kamal , Chellappan Dinesh Kumar
Published: June 2020

Many plant-based bioactive compounds have been serving as the origin of drugs since long ago and
many of them have been proven to have medicinal value against various chronic diseases, including, cancer,
arthritis, hepatic diseases, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, their clinical applications have
been limited due to their poor water solubility, stability, low bioavailability and extensive transformation due to
the first-pass metabolism. The applications of nanocarriers have been proven to be able to improve the delivery of
bioactive phytoconstituents, resulting in the enhancement of various pharmacokinetic properties and thereby
increasing the therapeutic value of phytoconstituents. These biocompatible nanocarriers also exert low toxicity to
healthy cells. This review focuses on the uses and applications of different types of nanocarriers to enhance the
delivery of phytoconstituents for the treatment of various chronic diseases, along with comparisons related to
bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of nano phytoconstituents with native phytoconstituents.
Possible Involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor (NMDA-R) in the Antidepressant- like Effect of Trigonelline in Male Mice
Authors: Anjomshoa Maryam , Boroujeni Shakiba N. , Bagheri Esmaeel , Lorigooini Zahra , Amini-Khoei Hossein
Published: June 2020

Background and Aim:

Depression is a mood disorder with high global prevalence. Depression is associated
with a reduction in the hippocampal volume and change in its neurotransmitters function. Trigonelline is an
alkaloid with neuroprotective activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of N-methyl-Daspartate
(NMDA) receptor in the antidepressant-like effect of trigonelline, considering histopathological modifications
of the hippocampus.

Methods:

60 Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) male mice were divided into 6 groups including group 1
(normal saline), groups 2, 3 and 4 (trigonelline at doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg), group 5 (effective dose of
trigonelline plus NMDA agonist) and group 6 (sub-effective dose of trigonelline plus NMDA antagonist). Forced
swimming test (FST) was used to assess depressive-like behavior. Hippocampi were separated under deep anesthesia
and used for histopathological evaluation as well as NMDA receptor gene expression assessment.

Results:

Trigonelline at doses of 10, 50 and 100 significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST in comparison
to the control group. The administration of the sub-effective dose of trigonelline plus ketamine (an NMDA
receptor antagonist) potentiated the effect of the sub-effective dose of trigonelline. In addition, co-treatment of an
effective dose of trigonelline with NMDA mitigated the antidepressant-like effect of trigonelline. Trigonelline at
doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly increased the diameter of the CA1 area of the hippocampus.

Conclusion:

Trigonelline showed an antidepressant-like effect in mice, probably via attenuation of NMDA receptor
activity and an increase in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.
Fetal Cardiac Cellular Damage Caused by Anemia in Utero in Hb Bart’s Disease
Authors: Jatavan Phudit , Kumfu Sirinart , Tongsong Theera , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: June 2020

Background:

Severe fetal anemias can cause high output cardiac failure. Mitochondria
are key regulators of cardiac function. However, the effects of an early phase of fetal anemia on the
fetal heart and cardiac mitochondrial function are not known.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to compare mitochondrial function and cardiac biochemical
alterations in the fetal cardiac tissue between anemic and non-anemic fetuses.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Fetuses affected by Hb Bart’s
disease (n=18) and non-anemic fetuses (n=10) at 17-20 weeks. Echocardiograms had been carried
out in all cases to assess prenatal cardiac function. Cardiac tissues were collected after pregnancy
termination for the determination of cardiac iron accumulation, mitochondrial function, including
mitochondrial ROS production, mitochondrial depolarization and mitochondrial swelling,
mitochondrial dynamics, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Results:

Prenatal cardiac function evaluated by ultrasound was comparable between the Hb Bart’s
and non-anemic groups. In Bart’s group, the levels of cardiac mitochondrial depolarization and
swelling, and the TNF-α level were significantly higher, compared to the non-anemic group. On the
contrary, anti-inflammatory (IL-10) levels were significantly lower in the Hb Bart’s group.
Additionally, active caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression were also significantly higher (P= 0.001,
P=0.035) in Bart’s group. The mitochondrial fission protein expression, including p-DRP1/total
DRP1, was significantly higher in Bart’s group. However, there was no difference in cardiac iron
accumulation levels between these two groups.

Conclusion:

Despite equivalent prenatal cardiac function and comparable cardiac iron
accumulation in the Bart’s and non-anemic groups, fetal anemia is significantly associated with
cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction, increased mitochondrial fission, and increased inflammation and
apoptosis. These findings indicate that an early phase of fetal anemia without cardiac iron overload
can lead to cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction in fetuses with Hb Bart’s.
Heterogeneous System in Organic Synthesis: A Review
Authors: Changmai Bishwajit , Pathak Gunindra , Anal Jasha Momo H. , Rokhum Lalthazuala
Published: June 2020

Due to its inherent advantages such as easy recovery and reuse of the catalysts/ reagents, and environmentally friendly nature, the heterogeneous system has gain popularity in the realm of organic synthesis. In recent years, several chemically or biologically potent molecules are achieved through heterogeneous synthesis strategies. By recalling some of the classical fundamentals of the heterogeneous system in important organic synthesis, this mini-review outlines the recent developments in the applications heterogeneous catalysts and reagents; particularly in the solid phase synthesis, esterification and transesterification reactions to produce biodiesel, and Henry reaction.
Medical racism
Authors: Ramšak Mojca
Published: June 2020

The article analyses key examples of unethical medical experimentation on humans. The first part deals with racism, its ideology, and connectedness with concepts of medical racism. Concepts of the race that first emerged during the colonial expansion were defined by following their origins and function and not the philosophical thought. The second part builds upon the autonomy of patients. It includes the right to informed consent, protection of privacy, right of confidence, and persons with limited autonomy, all from a historical perspective on medical racism. In this section, the selected cases of medical racism show that the development of legal regulations and ethical norms importantly influenced the medical practice and the protection of subjects. The historical evidence also witnesses that even if the formal protection existed, there were deviations from it. The deviations were closely related to socio-political regulation and the rapid development of medicine that was a step before ethical norms. Additionally, war crimes against humanity were connected with personal ideological orientations of doctors whose racist, discriminatory beliefs were far beyond medical ethics and the purpose of medical practice. In the end, the article deals with the questions whether the results from unethical and unscientific experiments should be used and in what way medical racism endangers vulnerable groups today.
Crowd-based applications and societal challenges
Authors: Marzano Gilberto
Published: June 2020

The spread of mobile technology and ubiquitous connectivity have opened great possibilities for the implementation of applications that leverage data generated by normal users’ interactions on the web. As a consequence, there is a growing interest in crowd-based applications, namely those programs that involve people in a participatory or opportunistic way.
In many cases, data can be gathered automatically without user intervention and, in some cases, even without their explicit knowledge. The possibility to elude a users’ awareness fosters concerns regarding the potential risks hidden inside crowd-based applications. These applications might compromise the privacy of citizens, whilst data collected by them might be used to manipulate people’s opinions.
The governance of technology is a controversial area, and there is a wide array of different positions on the matter. There are those who dogmatically argue the positive value of technology, while others interpret the ongoing digital advancements as a dystopian menace.
This article focuses on crowd-based applications, highlighting some societal challenges and risks that they may present.
Technology runs so fast that it is challenging to keep pace with the changes brought by the digital revolution. However, an effort is required to extend the depth of digital knowledge of citizens and involve them in the use of the new technologies, and in this endeavor, greater knowledge is an essential step in any critical process.
Politics of birth places
Authors: Andal Aireen Grace
Published: June 2020

This work examines the ethical aspects of restricting homebirth. It focuses on how restricting homebirth can breach the principle of autonomy because pregnant citizens1 not only risk losing control over the medical decisions facing them, but also autonomy over their actions and control over their bodies. Using Berlin’s discussion on freedom, this work discusses the rather hidden oppressive nature of birth restrictions that appears when it is framed as helping pregnant individuals choose a moral option as per the advice of medical authorities at the expense of seeing an institutional failure to provide informed choice or options for birthing places for their so-called “best interest”. Three main arguments are offered why restricting homebirth can potentially violate autonomy: (1) imposing the authority to decide on the maternal body issues; (2) imposing standards on motherhood and pregnancy; and (3) imposing how to ascribe value to risk. These arguments highlight how the state and medical institutions have established authorities in the birthing process to justify restricting homebirth. When the state and medical institutions are framed as the moral authority for birth places, contrasting preferences of pregnant individuals are bound to be judged with guilt-ridden sentiments, shame and other value-laden labels related to one’s choice rather than be seen as a reflection of the quality of institutional support. Homebirth restriction reflects that a pregnant person’s decision of birthplace is not isolated from the availability of one’s choice. Indeed, there is an ethical interest in restricting homebirth, as this could be benevolent at best and discriminatory at worst.
Space and ethos
Authors: Theologou Kostas
Published: June 2020

The article examines the inextricable conceptual connection of space and ethos with culture and citizenship. It claims that the city is a prominent space for deploying citizens’ codes of conduct, taking into account the particularities of all groups. It also suggests ways of academic activities, like the introduction of bioethical principles in schooling of the young parts of the population, in the education of a new generation of building industry professionals, and the underline of the role of bioethics in understanding the interactions between the built environment and health, human well-being, productivity, energy use and climate change. The article contains several urban space snapshots in order to illustrate the phenomena and it also refers to Thessaloniki, a Northern Greece city, mentioning the conduct of inhabitants or, works of the authorities, who viciously offend city’s memory traces and culture. Finally, it suggests a list of ten points in order to develop our understanding why Space and Ethos are inextricably and culturally bound as a basic bi-pole of Urban Bioethics and thus promote supranational standards of European citizenship. These ten points are certainly relevant and useful to the discussion of the topic, but vary in depth and domain.
From mere urbanity to urban bioethical standards
Authors: Rinčić Iva , Doričić Robert , Byun Sun-yong , Kyu Lee Chan , Muzur Amir
Published: June 2020

An interest in research, deliberation, and reflection on urbanity has been present for a long time. Due to rapid urbanisation in the last few decades, such interest has intensified, attracting scholars from different disciplines and creating new platforms for discussion.
The first indicators of a ‘bioethical’ interest in urban life are already present in Van Rensselaer Potter’s early papers (urban ethics. However, more extensive research into urban bioethics remained on hold until recently, mainly due to the dominance of the biomedical paradigm within modern mainstream bioethics.
In 2017, the European Bioethics in Action project (funded by the Croatian Science Foundation) ended, resulting in a list of general bioethical standards related to animals, plants, and human health. The aim of this paper is to present the rationale for developing bioethical standards in a specific urban context.
Urban bioethics – The architect of a healthy city
Authors: Hubenko Hanna
Published: June 2020

Urban bioethics pays attention to the design of healthy relationships through the involvement of citizens. The main characteristics of urban bioethics: inclusion, integrity, transdisciplinarity. Involvement is a relentless engaging scriptwriter that is deployed by urban bioethics to explore the everyday application of its principles. Integrity discloses integrative mechanisms for bringing communities together in order to create a development strategy for the city and society in general. Transdisciplinarity explains the mechanism of transcendental space, bringing together a variety of languages, professions, cultures, and etcetera.
In this article, we go into examples of bioethical practices that promote the development and implementation of intercultural strategies on an Integrated Bioethics Platform, which can be found in the city both - online and offline. We also make suggestions on the leading types of behavior that are indoctrinated by this platform: networking; involvement through art; awareness of public space and one’s place/one’s self; educational practices.
Исследование высокочастотной акустической эмиссии в ходе прерывистой ползучести алюминий-магниевого сплава
Authors: Шибков А.А. , Желтов М.А. , Гасанов М.Ф. , Золотов А.Е. , Денисов А.А. , Кочегаров С.С.
Published: June 2020

Формирование полос макролокализованной деформации в условиях прерывистой ползучести исследовали методами акустической эмиссии (АЭ) и высокоскоростной видеосъемки. Установлено, что наиболее быстрые стадии формирования полосы деформации, связанные с ее выходом на поверхность и последующим ускоренным расширением, сопровождаются генерированием всплеска сигнала АЭ в полосе ~0.05-1 MHz. Скрытые корреляции в сложной структуре акустического всплеска исследовали методами статистического и фрактального анализа. Установлена связь между огибающей акустического всплеска и скоростью изменения силового отклика, вызванного формированием одиночной полосы деформации. Ключевые слова: прерывистая деформация, ползучесть, акустическая эмиссия, полоса деформации, фрактальная структура, алюминий-магниевый сплав.
Уравнение состояния и поверхностные свойства аморфного железа
Authors: Магомедов М.Н.
Published: June 2020

It is shown that on the nonlinear dependence of the first coordination number (kn) versus the packing coefficient (kp) of the structure of a mono-component substance, three special points corresponding to the amorphous structure can be distinguished. Based on the pairwise interatomic potential of Mie–Lennard-Jones, the state equation and properties of iron for both these three amorphous structures and the crystal state are calculated. It is shown that at kp = 0.45556 and kn = 6.2793 the minimum chemical potential is reached, i.e. this point is corresponding a thermodynamically stable amorphous structure into the liquid phase. An energetically equivalent point with the same kn value, but with kp = 0.6237, is a thermodynamically unstable amorphous structure corresponding to the solid phase. It is shown that the specific surface energy of an amorphous solid metal is greater than that of an amorphous liquid phase, but less than that of a metal in the crystalline state. This should lead to the fact that the surface of the crystal metal should tend to amorphize.
Pediatric Telebehavioral Health: A Transformational Shift in Care Delivery in the Era of COVID-19
Authors: Ramtekkar Ujjwal , Bridge Jeffrey A , Thomas Glenn , Butter Eric , Reese Jennifer , Logan Erica , Lin Simon , Axelson David
Published: June 2020

The use of telebehavioral health has been expanding in the past decade to improve access to psychiatric care and address critical shortages in the psychiatric workforce. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced a sudden shift from traditional in-person visits to alternative modalities. There are key factors associated with successful transitional and large-scale implementation of telehealth with existing resources. We describe the experience of a large health care system using telehealth technology, and we identify strategies and discuss considerations for long-term sustainability after the pandemic.
Patients’ Measurement Priorities for Remote Measurement Technologies to Aid Chronic Health Conditions: Qualitative Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Simblett Sara , Matcham Faith , Curtis Hannah , Greer Ben , Polhemus Ashley , Novák Jan , Ferrao Jose , Gamble Peter , Hotopf Matthew , Narayan Vaibhav , Wykes Til ,   Remote Assessment Of Disease And Relapse – Central Nervous System (RADAR-CNS) Consortium
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Remote measurement technology (RMT), including the use of mobile phone apps and wearable devices, may provide the opportunity for real-world assessment and intervention that will streamline clinical input for years to come. In order to establish the benefits of this approach, we need to operationalize what is expected in terms of a successful measurement. We focused on three clinical long-term conditions where a novel case has been made for the benefits of RMT: major depressive disorder (MDD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to conduct a consultation exercise on the clinical end point or outcome measurement priorities for RMT studies, drawing on the experiences of people with chronic health conditions.

METHODS

A total of 24 participants (16/24 women, 67%), ranging from 28 to 65 years of age, with a diagnosis of one of three chronic health conditions―MDD, MS, or epilepsy―took part in six focus groups. A systematic thematic analysis was used to extract themes and subthemes of clinical end point or measurement priorities.

RESULTS

The views of people with MDD, epilepsy, and MS differed. Each group highlighted unique measurements of importance, relevant to their specific needs. Although there was agreement that remote measurement could be useful for tracking symptoms of illness, some symptoms were specific to the individual groups. Measuring signs of wellness was discussed more by people with MDD than by people with MS and epilepsy. However, overlap did emerge when considering contextual factors, such as life events and availability of support (MDD and epilepsy) as well as ways of coping (epilepsy and MS).

CONCLUSIONS

This is a unique study that puts patients’ views at the forefront of the design of a clinical study employing novel digital resources. In all cases, measuring symptom severity is key; people want to know when their health is getting worse. Second, symptom severity needs to be placed into context. A holistic approach that, in some cases, considers signs of wellness as well as illness, should be the aim of studies employing RMT to understand the health of people with chronic conditions.