bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of different feedback modalities for the training of procedural skills in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery: a blinded, randomized and controlled study
Authors: Seifert Lukas Benedikt , Herrera-Vizcaino Carlos , Herguth Philipp , Sterz Jasmina , Sader Robert
Published: April 2020

Background: Feedback given to students plays an important role concerning their efficiency in learning practical skills. With the purpose of facilitating this objective, the effectiveness of diverse modalities of given feedback has been investigated. Our hypothesis is that Individualized and Unsupervised Video Feedback can produce a similar learning experience in performing practical skills in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery as with conventional Direct Expert Feedback (Control group).Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled and blinded study compared Direct Expert Feedback (DEF), Individualized Video Feedback (IVF) and Unsupervised Video Feedback (UVF). Participants were fourth-year dental students from the University Goethe of Frankfurt. Students were assigned to one of the three feedback methods ( n = 20) using simple randomization. All participants received a video instruction of an interdental (‘Ernst’) ligature and a periphery venous catheterization. Subsequently, students were video recorded performing the tasks by themselves (pre-test). Following this, every student received feedback using one of the above mentioned modalities of feedback. Then, the participants performed the same task again while being video recorded (post-test) to measure the acquired competence. Six weeks later, the students participated in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), where the long-term knowledge retention was evaluated. All examiners were blinded towards the students’ instructional approach and affiliation of the learning group.Results: For the interdental ligature, significant improvements for each feedback modality from pre-test to post-test were found. The intragroup comparison in the post-test showed no significant differences between the three groups. All groups showed good knowledge retention from post-test to the long-term knowledge retention test. At the placement of a peripheral venous catheter, the IVF and UVF Group showed significant reduction of performance from the post-test to the long-term knowledge retention test.Conclusion: This study showed that IVF and UVF were acceptable in the acquisition of basic surgical skills in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and were not quantitatively different from DEF in improving skills.
Research on the Potential Mechanism of Chuanxiong Rhizoma on Treating Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Hu Shanshan , Chen Siteng , Li Zhilei , Wang Yuhang , Wang Yong
Published: April 2020

Background: Chuanxiong Rhizoma is one of the traditional Chinese medicines which have been used for years in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the mechanism of Chuanxiong Rhizoma in DN has not yet been fully understood. Methods: We performed network pharmacology to construct targeted proteins interaction network of Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Active ingredients were acquired from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. DRUGBANK database was used to predict targeted proteins of Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Gene ontology (GO) biological process analyses and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were also performed for functional prediction of the targeted proteins. Molecular docking was applied for evaluating the drug interactions between hub targets and active ingredients. Results: Twenty-eight targets fished by 6 active ingredients of Chuanxiong Rhizoma were obtained in the study. The top 10 significant GO analyses, as well as 6 KEGG pathways, were enriched for genomic analysis. We also acquired 1366 differentially expressed genes associated with DN from GSE30528 dataset, including five targeted genes: KCNH2, NCOA1, KDR, NR3C2 and ADRB2. Molecular docking analysis successfully combined KCNH2, NCOA1, KDR and ADRB2 to Myricanone with docking scores from 4.61 to 6.28. NR3C2 also displayed good binding forces (8.13 and 8.34) with Wallichilide and Sitosterol, revealing good binding forces to active compounds of Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Conclusions: Chuanxiong Rhizoma might take part in the treatment of DN through pathways associated with steroid hormone, estrogen, thyroid hormone and IL-17. KCNH2, NCOA1, KDR, ADRB2 and NR3C2 were proved to be the hub targets closely related to corresponding active ingredients of Chuanxiong Rhizoma.
Expression of MYB transcription factor gene ZmMYB59 affects seed germination in Nicotiana tabacum and Oryza sativa
Authors: Zhai Kaihui , Zhao Guangwu , Jiang Hongye , Sun Caixia , Ren Jingyu
Published: April 2020

Background: MYB transcription factors are involved in many biological processes, including metabolism, development and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In our previous work, a new MYB transcription factor gene, ZmMYB59 was induced by deep sowing and down-regulated during maize seed germination via Real-Time PCR. However, there are few reports on seed germination regulated by MYB proteins and the functions of ZmMYB59 remain unknown.Results: In this study, to examine its functions, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was exploited to generate ZmMYB59 transgenic tobacco and rice. In T2 generation transgenic tobacco, germination rate, germination index, vigor index and hypocotyl length were significantly decreased by 25.0~50.9%, 34.5~54.4%, 57.5~88.3% and 21.9~31.3% compared to wild-type (WT) lines. In T2 generation transgenic rice, germination rate, germination index, vigor index and mesocotyl length were notably reduced by 39.1~53.8%, 51.4~71.4%, 52.5~74.0% and 28.3~41.5%, respectively. On this basis, relative physiological indicators were determined. The activities of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and proline content of transgenic lines were significantly lower than those of WT, suggesting that ZmMYB59 reduced their antioxidant capacity. As well, ZmMYB59 expression extremely inhibited the synthesis of gibberellin A1 (GA1) and cytokinin (CTK), and promoted the synthesis of abscisic acid (ABA) concurrently, which implied that seed germination was repressed by ZmMYB59 in hormone levels. Furthermore, cell length and cell number of hypocotyl/mesocotyl in transgenic tobacco and rice were notably decreased. Conclusions: Taken together, it proposed that ZmMYB59 plays a negative regulatory role during seed germination in tobacco and rice, which also contributes to illuminate the molecular mechanisms regulated by MYB transcription factors.
Functional Connectivity in Parkinson's Disease Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Wang Qingguang , He Wei , Liu Dinghua , Han Bojun , Jiang Qitao , Niu Jiali , Ding Yunlong
Published: April 2020

Background: To explore the alteration of pattens of anatomical and functional connectivity (FC) of posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with cognitive dysfunction and the relationship between the connection strengths and cognitive state．Methods: We prospectively enrolled 20 PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), 13 PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC) and 13 healthy controls (HCs). All subjects underwent clinical evaluations and MRI scans. By collecting, preprocessing and FC analyzing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data, we extracted default mode network (DMN) patterns, compared the differences in DMN between the three groups and the analyzed the correlation between FC value with the commonly used neuropsychological testing.Results: There were not significant differences with regard to demographic data among the three groups. The PD-MCI showed significant worse performances in general cognition, and PD-NC and HCs showed comparable performances of cognitive function. Cognitive-related differences in DMN were detected in the bilateral precuneus (BPcu). Compared with the HCs, PD-NC and PD-MCI showed significantly decreased FC within BPcu (both P < 0.001). For PD-MCI, the rho of the the Fisher’s Z-transformed FC (zFC) value within BPcu with the TMTA, DSST and CFT-20min were − 0.50, 0.66 and 0.47, respectively. For PD-NC, the rho of the zFC value within BPcu with the MMSE was 0.58.Conclusions: Our research found that BPcu was the cognitive related region in DMN. As cognition declines, FC within BPcu weaken. For PD-MCI, the higher the FC values within BPcu were related to the better the performances of TMTA, DSST and CFT-20 min DR. For PD patients with normal cognition, the FC within BPcu were positively correlated with scores of MMSE.
Candida prevalence and oral hygiene due to orthodontic therapy with conventional brackets
Authors: Grzegocka Kinga , Krzyściak Paweł , Talaga-Ćwiertnia Katarzyna , Loster Bartłomiej W.
Published: April 2020

Background Conventional brackets are often used during orthodontic therapy patients with malocclusion. Nevertheless, their complicated construction greatly inhibits oral hygiene, which predisposes to the increased carriage of the microbiota. It seems that orthodontic brackets could be a reservoir of yeast and predisposing to develop oral candidosis. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess changes in Candida species prevalence and periodontal parameters after orthodontic brackets placement in patients who received oral hygiene instruction; to determine role of elastic ligatures in those changes; to characterize isolated yeasts according to their ability to biofilm formation. Patients/Methods 17 participants (average age 17±7 years) have been monitored by taking oral rinses, elastomeric ligatures samples and evaluation of API and GBI Indexes before and after placement of orthodontic conventional brackets for 12 weeks. Isolated yeasts was counted and used to the biofilm formation assay. Results 116 samples (67 oral rinses and 49 orthodontic elastomers) were collected. 51% of patients were carriers of Candida in which C. albicans was the most common species. The average number of colonies (CFU/ml) obtained from oral rinses showed an upward trend depending on duration of the study and some correlation with periodontal indexes (API, GBI) was found. One third of the analysed strains have shown ability to form greater biofilm than control strain. Conclusions Orthodontic ligatures surface permit biofilms creation and orthodontic brackets change dynamic oral microbiota. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is crucial for every orthodontic patient.
Identification and characterization of QTLs for blush, soluble solids concentration (SSC), and titratable acidity (TA) in peach through a multi-family approach
Authors: Rawandoozi Zena , Hartmann Timothy P , Carpenedo Silvia , Gasic Ksenija , Linge Cassia da Silva , de Weg Eric Van , Byrne David H
Published: April 2020

Background: Fruit quality traits have a significant effect on consumer acceptance and subsequently on peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) consumption. Determining the genetic bases of key fruit quality traits is essential for industry to improve fruit quality and increase consumption. A Bayesian approach embedded in the FlexQTL software increases the accuracy of QTL mapping and the probability of identifying new and validating known QTLs across a wide range of genetic backgrounds.Results: Phenotypic data of seven F1 low to medium chill full-sib families were collected over two years at two locations and genotyped using the 9K SNP Illumina array. One major QTL for fruit blush was found on linkage group 4 (LG4) at 40–46 cM that explained from 20 to 32% of the total phenotypic variance and showed three QTL alleles of different effects. For SSC, one QTL was mapped on LG5 at 60-72cM and explained from 17 to 39% of the phenotypic variance. A major QTL for TA that co-localized with the major locus for low-acid fruit (D-locus) was mapped at the proximal end of LG5 and explained 35 to 80% of the phenotypic variance. The new QTL for TA on the distal end of LG5 explained 14 to 22% of the phenotypic variance. This QTL co-localized with the QTL for SSC and affected TA only when the first QTL is homozygous for high acidity (epistasis). Haplotype analyses revealed SNP haplotypes and predictive SNP marker(s) associated with desired QTL alleles.Conclusions: A multi-family-based QTL discovery approach enhanced the ability to discover a new TA QTL and validated other QTLs which were reported in previous studies. Identified predictive SNPs and their original sources will facilitate the selection of parents and/or seedlings that have desired haplotype alleles. Our findings will help peach breeders develop new predictive, DNA-based molecular marker tests for routine use in marker-assisted breeding (MAB).
Genetic investigation of 211 Chinese families expands the mutational and phenotypical spectrum in hereditary retinopathy genes through targeted sequencing technology
Authors: Bai Zhouxian , Bai Zhouxian , Xie Yanchuan , Liu Lina , Shao Jingzhi , Liu Yuying , Kong Xiangdong
Published: April 2020

Background: Hereditary retinopathy is a significant cause of blindness worldwide. Despite the discovery of many mutations in various retinopathies, a large part of patients remain undiagnosed genetically. Targeted next generation sequencing of the human genome is a suitable approach for retinopathy molecular diagnosis.Methods: We describe a cohort of 211 families from central China with various forms of retinopathy investigated using a NGS multi-gene panel as well as Sanger sequencing. We validated the candidate variants by PCR-based Sanger sequencing. We have made comprehensive analysis of the cases through sequencing data and ophthalmologic examination information.Results: The potentially causal mutation was identified in majority of the families with retinopathy (57.9% of 95 families) and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) (21.6% of 116 families). The identified mutations (68mutations, 37 of which are novel) of the 95 families spanned 31 known disease genes, about half have not been reported relation to hereditary retinopathy. This study, the NGS panel solution provides 45.3% potential diagnostic rate of the retinopathy families and another 12.6% families receive candidate gene mutations with undefined pathogenicity.Conclusion: Our study showed novel mutations and phenotypic aspects of retinopathy, and demonstrated genetic and clinical heterogeneity of the conditions. Our results illustrated the significance of molecular genetic testing for patients with hereditary retinopathy.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteome Evaluation in Major Depressive Disorder by Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Franzen Avery , Lam TuKiet T. , Williams Kenneth R. , Nairn Angus , Duman Ronald S. , Sathyanesan Monica , Kumar Vikas , Carpenter Linda L. , Sathyanesan Samuel
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Depression affects approximately 7.1% of the United States population every year and has an economic burden of over $210 billion dollars annually. Several recent studies have attempted to investigate the pathophysiology of depression utilizing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum analysis. Inflammation and metabolic dysfunction have been strongly implicated as potential etiological factors. Inflammatory proteins such as IL-12, TNF, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-9, IL-17A, and IL-10 have been found to be significantly correlated with depression. Methods: CSF samples were obtained from patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder and matched for age and gender with non-psychiatric controls. CSF protein profiles were obtained using quantitative mass spectrometry. The data were analyzed by Progenesis QI proteomics software to identify significantly dysregulated proteins. The results were subjected to bioinformatics analysis using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis suite to obtain mechanistic insight into biologically relevant interactions and pathways. Results: Several dysregulated proteins were identified. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the potential disorder/disease pathways include inflammatory response, metabolic disease, and organismal injury and abnormalities. Molecular and cellular functions that were affected are cellular compromise, cell-to-cell signaling & interaction, cellular movement, protein synthesis, and cellular development. The major canonical pathway that was regulated was acute phase response signaling. Endogenous upstream regulators that may influence depression are interleukin-6 (IL-6), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), oncostatin M, PR domain zinc finger protein 1 (PRDM1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PPARGC1A). Conclusions: The proteome profiling data in this report identifies several potential biological functions that may be disrupted in major depressive disorder’s pathophysiology. Future research into how the differential expression of these proteins is involved in the etiology and severity of depression will be important.
Co-construction of the Family-Focused Support Conversation: A Participatory Learning and Action Research Study to implement support for family members whose relatives are being discharged for end of life care at home or in a nursing home
Authors: Duke Susan , Campling Natasha , May Carl , Lund Susi , Lunt Neil , Richardson Alison
Published: April 2020

Background Many people move in and out of hospital in the last few weeks of life. These care transitions can be distressing for family members because they signify the deterioration and impending death of their ill relative and forthcoming family bereavement. Whilst there is evidence about psycho-social support for family members providing end of life care at home, there is limited evidence about how this can be provided in acute hospitals during care transitions. Consequently, family members report a lack of support from hospital-based healthcare professionals. Methods The aim of the study was to implement research evidence for family support at the end of life into acute hospital care. Informed by Participatory Learning and Action Research and Normalization Process Theory (NPT) we co-designed a context-specific intervention, the Family-Focused Support Conversation, from a detailed review of research evidence. We undertook a pilot implementation in three acute hospital Trusts to assess the potential for the intervention to be used in clinical practice. Pilot implementation was undertaken during a three-month period by seven clinical co-researchers - nurses and occupational therapists in hospital specialist palliative care services. Implementation was evaluated by data comprised of reflective records of intervention delivery (n=22), in-depth records of telephone implementation support meetings, between research team members and co-researchers (n=3) and in-depth evaluation meetings (n=2). Data were qualitatively analysed using an NPT framework designed for intervention evaluation. Results Clinical co-researchers readily incorporated the Family-Focused Support Conversation into their everyday work. The key disruption to practice was a change in interactional practice, from being patient-focused, providing information about patient needs, to family-focused, identifying family concerns and facilitating family-focused solutions. Co-researchers reported an increase in family members’ involvement in discharge decisions and end of life care planning. Conclusion The Family-Focused Support Conversation is a novel, evidenced-based and context specific intervention. Pilot implementation demonstrated the potential for the intervention to be used in acute hospitals to support family members during end of life care transitions. This informed a larger scale implementation study, reported in a respective paper.
Cognitive correlates of ADHD subtypes and its association with self-esteem: A quantitative difference
Authors: Molavi Parviz , Nadermohammadi Mehriar , Ghojehbeiglou Habibeh Salvat , Vicario Carmelo M. , Nitsche Michael A. , Salehinejad Mohammad Ali
Published: April 2020

Background : Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a major neurodevelopmental disorder with heterogeneous symptoms, subtypes and cognitive deficits. Cognitive deficits are central to ADHD pathophysiology and one potential source of heterogeneity in ADHD. Subtype-specific cognitive correlates are not, however, well-studied. We explored cognitive correlates of ADHD subtypes based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) scores. We also assessed subtype-specific self-esteem ratings and its association with subtype-specific cognitive correlates. Methods : 139 ADHD children (80.6% boy, 19.4% girl) were categorized into the predominantly “hyperactive (ADHD-H)”, “inattentive (ADHD-I)” and “combined (ADHD-C)” subtype based on their symptoms and scores on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-PL) and Conners Parent-Rating Scale (CPRS-RS). They were then individually administrated the WISC-IV and completed a self-esteem inventory. Group differences in the WISC-IV indices and their predictability in discriminating ADHD subtypes were analyzed. Results : We found a quantitative differentiation of cognitive abilities among ADHD subtypes with “working memory” as the most compromised cognitive domain. ADHD-I had the poorest cognitive profile while ADHD-H scored highest in all cognitive domains. Importantly, cognitive abilities were negatively correlated with inattention and positively correlated with hyperactive symptoms. Moreover, self-esteem ratings were positively correlated with the cognitive domains and were rated differently based on the subtype. ADHD-H, with the highest cognitive strength, reported the highest level of self-esteem among all subtypes. Conclusions : ADHD subtype-specific symptoms, cognitive deficits, and social functioning should be considered for precise diagnosis and effective treatment. Our findings have implications for diagnosis precision and personalized intervention in ADHD. Cognitive interventions might be more compatible with and effective in inattentive and combined subtypes of ADHD. Working memory improving-based interventions can benefit all ADHD subtypes.
Development of calcium stabilized nitrogen rich alpha-sialon ceramics along the Si3N4-1/2Ca3N2:3AlN line using spark plasma sintering
Authors: Ahmed Bilal Anjum , Hakeem Abbas Saeed , Laoui Tahar
Published: April 2020

Calcium stabilized nitrogen rich sialon ceramics having a general formula of CaxSi12-2xAl2xN16 with x value in the range of 0.2-2.2 for compositions lying along the Si3N4-1/2Ca3N2:3AlN line were synthesized using nano/submicron size starting powder precursors and spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The development of calcium stabilized nitrogen rich sialon ceramics at a significantly low sintering temperature of 1500oC (typically reported temperature of 1700oC or greater) remains to be the highlight of the present study. The SPS processed sialons were characterized for their microstructure, phase and compositional analysis, physical and mechanical properties. Furthermore, a correlation was developed between the lattice parameters and the content (x) of alkaline metal cation in the alpha-sialon phase. Well densified single-phase nitrogen rich alpha-sialon ceramics were achieved in the range of 0.4 < x < 1.6. A nitrogen rich alpha-sialon sample possessing a maximum hardness of 22.4 GPa and fracture toughness of 6.1 MPa.m1/2 was developed.
COVID-19, SARS, MERS and Ebola: a comparative analysis registration of intervention clinical trials
Authors: Xiang Yuxia , Zhang Zeyu , Zeng Chan , Hu Zhanqing , Liu Yaxin , Chen Wenjing , Huang Zhijun , Wang Xiaomin , Yang Guoping
Published: April 2020

BackgroundCOVID-19 is a novel and highly virulent virus, which caused a rapid and massive onset of clinical trials in a short period of time.With the aim to obtain suggestions in the guidance on performing emergency clinical trials, and control this virus in China and other countries and for the prevention of the onset of other infectious viruses in the future.MethodsCOVID-19, SARS, MERS and Ebola clinical trials registered in the Chinese clinical trial registry and clinical trials.gov were collected and analyzed and intervention protocols were compared, focusing on the analysis and comparison of the drug used. The search period ended on February 24, 2020.ResultsThe number of the registered COVID-19 clinical trials was 295. Among 203 intervention trials, 78.3% (159) were drug clinical trials, in which 46.3% (94) used chemical drugs and biological agents, 32.0% (65) were performed using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine.The 159 COVID-19 trials were designed and analyzed with the highest proportion of blank randomized controls [45.9% (73)], and placebo randomized trials [14.5% (23)]. The drug mostly used was Lopinavir/Ritonavir (15.1%). The sample size ranged from 10 to 100 in 52.8% (84) trials. The number of the registered SARS was 6, MERS 15, and Ebola 97. Among 3 MERS and 19 Ebola drug intervention clinical trials, MERS and Ebola were randomized, blind, and placebo-controlled drug clinical trials accounting for 100% (3) and 31.6% (6), respectively, while SARS were vaccine trials, without drug intervention clinical trials registered.ConclusionsCompared with the SARS in 2003, the awareness and capability of clinical research in China greatly improved. However, some of the COVID-19 clinical trials and drug selection performed are somewhat disordered, requiring greater attention to the needs, science assumptions, ethics and quality management of the clinical research. Thus, during the epidemic period, the country should deliver guidance on how to perform appropriate emergency clinical trials, design a scientifically based clinical trial program and focus on researching drugs or vaccines that have great potential.
Overlapping volumes in re-irradiation for head and neck cancer—an important factor for patient selection
Authors: Embring Anna , Onjukka Eva , Mercke Claes , Lax Ingmar , Berglund Anders , Bornedal Sara , Wennberg Berit , Friesland Signe
Published: April 2020

Background: There is a lack of consensus concerning the definition of re-irradiation and re-irradiation volumes in head and neck cancer (HNC). The aim of the present study is to introduce a more strict definition of the re-irradiated volume that might better predict the risk of serious side-effects from treatment.Methods: Fifty-four consecutive patients re-irradiated for HNC cancer were retrospectively analysed. CT images were deformably registered and the dose distributions accumulated after conversion to EQD2. Patients with a cumulative dose of ≥100 Gy in the overlapping volume (V100) were included in the study. Survival data and radiation-related acute and late toxicities were recorded.Results: The overall survival of all included patients at 2 and 5 years was 42.6% and 27.3% respectively and the progression free survival at 2 and 5 years was 32.5% and 28.5% respectively. The overall rate of any event of severe (grade ≥3) acute and late toxicity was 26% and 51%, respectively. We found that severe acute toxicity was more common in patients who had a larger overlapping volume (V100 >mean) where 43% of the patients experienced grade ≥3 acute toxicity, compared to the patients with smaller overlapping volumes (V100 <mean) where only 11% had severe toxicity (p = 0.02). The seemingly high rates of late toxicity in the present study could be due to the use of a more strict definition of re-irradiation. In previous studies also patients with low dose overlap are included and our results imply that there is a risk that previous studies might have overestimated the risk-benefit ratio in re-irradiation of HNC.Conclusions: Our study describes the outcome of a patient material where a more strict definition of the re-irradiated volume is used. With this definition, which could better describe the volume of highest risk for serious complications, we found that larger such overlapping volumes result in an increase in severe acute side-effects. A clear definition of re-irradiation and re-irradiation volumes is of utmost importance for future studies of HNC to make results from different studies comparable.
Geospatial Data Processing Characteristics for Environmental Monitoring Tasks
Authors: BUTENKO Olga , HORELIK Stanislav , ZYNYUK Oleh
Published: April 2020

This paper explores the specifics of working with geospatial data when making decisions about the current environmental status of objects based on Earth space monitoring data. The expediency of sharing statistical data, Earth remote sensing data, and contact measurements is displayed. An analysis of the specifics of this approach to solving the problems of complex processing of multi-temporal a priori data obtained by various shooting equipment was carried out. The existing methods for combining such data are analyzed and possible options for reducing temporary resources and reducing requirements for information resources when working with large volumes of information are considered. It is appropriate to use the method of hierarchical partitioning of multi-temporal image data or images of the analyzed areas obtained at the same time, but from different satellites taking into account the specifics of the shooting equipment and subject to their correspondence to the given a priori geospatial information. One of the criteria for hierarchical partitioning is the identification of areas of greatest correspondence with a priori data with their geographical reference in satellite imagery to reduce the localization time of the corresponding zones throughout the analyzed image array. The economic application effect of this method is substantiated by reducing the computational complexity of costly pattern matching processes, as well as performance improvement of change determination algorithms in topological and geometric characteristics of these objects. An algorithm is shown for detecting changes in heterogeneity in images based on the result of overlay operations with time-differentiated satellite imagery. To confirm the adequacy of the proposed method, the results of its practical implementation are shown on the Ukraine-Poland border area. A comparative analysis of the obtained results with real data is carried out.
Between sport and bioethics
Authors: Eterović Igor
Published: April 2020

Planinarstvo obuhvaća velik broj aktivnosti, postajući krovni pojam za skup aktivnosti na otvorenom. Iako kategorizirano kao sport, planinarstvo se uvriježenoj definiciji sporta opire, a pogotovo glavnoj struji shvaćanja sporta kao natjecateljske aktivnosti. S druge strane, etička pitanja o sportu ne pokrivaju većinu planinarskih praksi, što za sobom povlači potrebu za širom normativnom perspektivom – bioetičkom analizom. Argumentira se da takav pristup može zasnovati mogućnost razumijevanja planinarstva kao posebne vrste sporta i razlučiti njegova posebna svojstva korištenjem bioetičke analize. Pokazuje se da je planinarstvo jedinstven sport, ali i da planinarstvo udjeljuje i promiče autentičnu filozofiju sporta, oprimjerujući odista bioetički pogled na svijet. Planinar je vođen jedinstvenim skupom sržnih vrijednosti sabranih pod nešto što bismo mogli i trebali zvati filozofijom planinarstva.
Genome editing and selection based on genes associated with sports athletic performance
Authors: Zajc Petranović Matea , Korać Petra , Jermen Nataša , Škerbić Matija Mato , Erhardt Julija
Published: April 2020

In 2003 the final results of the Human Genome Project revealed the details of our genome: a set of information about how human beings look, how we act, feel, think and develop. Soon after, other global collaborations such as the HapMap project and 1000 Genomes Project were conducted. Although the main focus was to investigate the variability in human populations and the possible connections of certain variations to different conditions and diseases, these projects also had a great impact on the understanding of the genetic influence on sports performance. In parallel, improved methods for gene analysis and gene editing were developed. Based on those methods, it became possible to detect candidate genes responsible for different performance phenotypes and develop protocols similar to gene therapies for performance enhancement in athletes. This review covers developments in genetics, the overview of candidate genes associated with athletic performance, and ethical dilemmas related to the modification of genome for sport performance enhancement.
Bioethics of sport and its place in the philosophy of sport
Authors: Škerbić Matija Mato
Published: April 2020

In the Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy of Sport (McNamee, Morgan, 2015) for the first time Bioethics of Sport (BES) was included, and therefore officially acknowledged, as a separate field within the Philosophy of Sport. Starting from that fact, I will raise three issues. Firstly, I will propose the definition for the (new) sub-discipline, briefly present its short history, and indicate the connection to the Bioethics as such. Secondly, I will point out the BES thematic scope in the past and present, and show how and why it is too narrow, insufficient and not comprehensive enough. In that regard, relying on Fritz Jahr’s understanding of Bioethics, I will propose the widening of the current scope, and demonstrate that many of the topics were already present in the discourse of the philosophy of sport just were not recognised and considered as bioethical. Thirdly, I will emphasise the issue of the distinction between Ethics and Bioethics of Sport within the Philosophy of Sport. Finally, I will consider some prospects regarding the future of the bioethics of sport.
Figure 1: Phylogeographic, morphometric and taxonomic re-evaluation of the river sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Chedrini)
Authors: Ridden Megan A , Bills Roger , Villet Martin H
Published: April 2020

Map of the catchments and sampling sites in which the study species occur. p DNA and morphology: E. sardella; n DNA and morphology: M. brevianalis s.l.; n morphology only: M. brevianalis s.l. (Generated by H. Retief, Rhodes University).
Figure 3: Phylogeographic, morphometric and taxonomic re-evaluation of the river sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Chedrini)
Authors: Ridden Megan A , Bills Roger , Villet Martin H
Published: April 2020

The river sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908), is the type species of Mesobola Howes, 1984.
Standard phylogenetic analyses of partial sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I
gene of individuals from populations across southern Africa that are currently
identified as M. brevianalis showed that
these populations represent four genetically distinct allopatric lineages.
Furthermore, Engraulicypris sardella (Günther, 1868), the type species of Engraulicypris Günther,
1894, was convincingly nested amongst these clades.

Fig.3 Maximum-likelihood phylogram based on partial sequences of
the COI gene. Bootstrap support values were attained using a
heuristic tree search and 1000 replicates. Numbers following locality names
represent SAIAB catalogue
numbers and GenBank accession numbers (in brackets). The shaded boxes enclose
well-supported clades that were identified as populations of Mesobola brevianalis in the past. The scale bar represents the number of
base substitutions per site.
Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science
Authors: Chakona Albert , Kadye Wilbert , Bere Taurai , Mazungula Daniel , Vreven Emmanuel
Published: April 2020

Materials and datasets produces as part of the the research outputs of the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries at Rhodes University. Datasets might include authors from SAIAB.
Lise ve Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Sınav Kaygısının Karşılaştırılması
Authors: DOĞAN Uğur
Published: April 2020

Sınav kaygısı eğitim hayatının göz ardı edilemez
fenomenlerinden birisidir. Sınav kaygısının lise öğrencilerde mi üniversite
öğrencilerinde mi daha yüksek olduğunu belirlemek üzere dizayn edilen bu
çalışma, Muğla ilindeki 3 lise ve Muğla Sıtkı koçman Üniversitesi Eğitim
Fakültesi öğrencileri üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcıların 262’si
üniversite, 415’i lise öğrencisidir. Araştırmada Westside Sınav Kaygısı
envanterinin lise ve üniversite öğrencileri için olan versiyonları
kullanılmıştır. Sınav kaygısının lise ve üniversite öğrencileri arasında fark
edip etmediğini belirlemek için veri setine t testi uygulanmıştır. Yapılan
analize göre üniversite öğrencilerinin sınav kaygısı ortalamaları lise
öğrencilerinin sınav kaygısı ortalamalarına göre daha yüksek çıkmıştır. Analize
ek olarak öğrencilerin yaşının sınav kaygısını yordayıp yordamadığını
belirlemek için regresyon analizi yapılmış ve yaşın sınav kaygısını anlamlı
olarak yordadığı görülmüştür. Bir başka ifade ile yaş arttıkça sınav kaygısı
artmaktadır. Sadece üniversite sınavına hazırlanan öğrencilerin yaşadığı
düşünülen sınav kaygısının üniversite öğrencilerinde de yaşandığını göstermesi
açısından araştırmanın önemli bir sonuca ışık tuttuğu düşülmektedir.
Updated Understanding of the Degenerative Disc Diseases - Causes Versus Effects - Treatments, Studies and Hypothesis
Authors: Muresanu Cristian , Somasundaram Siva G. , Neganova Margarita E. , Bovina Elena V. , Vissarionov Sergey V. , Ofodile Okom N.F.C. , Fisenko Vladimir P. , Bragin Valentin , Minyaeva Nina N. , Chubarev Vladimir N. , Klochkov Sergey G. , Tarasov Vadim V. , Mikhaleva Liudmila M. , Kirkland Cecil E. , Aliev Gjumrakch
Published: April 2020

Background:

In this review we survey medical treatments and research strategies, and we discuss why they have failed to cure degenerative disc diseases or even slow down the degenerative process.

Objective:

We seek to stimulate discussion with respect to changing the medical paradigm associated with treatments and research applied to degenerative disc diseases.

Method Proposal:

We summarize a Biological Transformation therapy for curing chronic inflammations and degenerative disc diseases, as was previously described in the book Biological Transformations controlled by the Mind Volume 1.

Preliminary Studies:

A single-patient case study is presented that documents complete recovery from an advanced lumbar bilateral discopathy and long-term hypertrophic chronic rhinitis by application of the method proposed.

Conclusion:

Biological transformations controlled by the mind can be applied by men and women in order to improve their quality of life and cure degenerative disc diseases and chronic inflammations illnesses.
Increased Heat Shock Protein Expression Decreases Inflammation in Skeletal Muscle During and after Frostbite Injury
Authors: Liskutin Tomas , Batey Jason , Li Ruojia , Schweigert Colin , Mestril Ruben
Published: April 2020

Background:

Frostbite injury results in serious skeletal muscle damage. The
inflammatory response due to frostbite causes local muscle degeneration. Previous
studies have shown that heat shock proteins (hsps) can protect against inflammation. In
addition, our previous studies showed that increased expression of hsp70 is able to
protect skeletal muscle against cryolesion.

Methods:

Therefore, our aim was to determine if the induction of the heat shock
proteins are able to minimize inflammation and protect skeletal muscle against frostbite
injury.

Results:

In the present study, we used the hsp90 inhibitor, 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-
17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG), which was administered within 30
minutes following frostbite injury. Rat hind-limb muscles injected with 17-DMAG
following frostbite injury exhibited less inflammatory cell infiltration as compared to
control rat hind-limb muscles. In agreement with this observation, it has been observed
that increased hsp expression resulted in decreased inflammatory cytokine expression.
Additionally, we found that the administration of 17-DMAG after frostbite injury can
preserve muscle tissue structure as well as function.

Conclusion:

It has been concluded that compounds such as 17-DMAG that induce the
heat shock proteins are able to preserve skeletal muscle function and structure if
injected within 30 minutes after frostbite injury. Our studies provide the basis for the
development of a potential therapeutic strategy to treat the injury caused by frostbite.
Механизмы влияния углеродных нанотрубок на физические свойства полимерных композитов
Authors: Гусев К.В. , Ванин А.И. , Соловьев В.Г. , Gerbreders V. , Ogurcovs A.
Published: April 2020

Direct experimental evidence for the existence of few strengthening mechanisms for polymeric composites modified with single-wall carbon nanotubes was obtained using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy.
Identification of High-Order Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Barcodes in Breast Cancer Using a Hybrid Taguchi-Genetic Algorithm: Case-Control Study
Authors: Chuang Li-Yeh , Yang Cheng-San , Yang Huai-Shuo , Yang Cheng-Hong
Published: April 2020

Background

Breast cancer has a major disease burden in the female population, and it is a highly genome-associated human disease. However, in genetic studies of complex diseases, modern geneticists face challenges in detecting interactions among loci.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate whether variations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with histopathological tumor characteristics in breast cancer patients.

Methods

A hybrid Taguchi-genetic algorithm (HTGA) was proposed to identify the high-order SNP barcodes in a breast cancer case-control study. A Taguchi method was used to enhance a genetic algorithm (GA) for identifying high-order SNP barcodes. The Taguchi method was integrated into the GA after the crossover operations in order to optimize the generated offspring systematically for enhancing the GA search ability.

Results

The proposed HTGA effectively converged to a promising region within the problem space and provided excellent SNP barcode identification. Regression analysis was used to validate the association between breast cancer and the identified high-order SNP barcodes. The maximum OR was less than 1 (range 0.870-0.755) for two- to seven-order SNP barcodes.

Conclusions

We systematically evaluated the interaction effects of 26 SNPs within growth factor–related genes for breast carcinogenesis pathways. The HTGA could successfully identify relevant high-order SNP barcodes by evaluating the differences between cases and controls. The validation results showed that the HTGA can provide better fitness values as compared with other methods for the identification of high-order SNP barcodes using breast cancer case-control data sets.
How Physicians’ Service Quality Affects Patient Consultation in Online Health Communities: A Longitudinal Study (Preprint)
Authors: Chen Qin , Yan Xiangbin , Zhang Tingting
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

With the dramatic development of Web 2.0, an increasing number of patients and physicians are active in online health communities (OHCs). While extant literature has primarily discussed factors that influence patient consultation in OHCs, there is a lack of a thorough examination of the impact of two dimensions of physicians’ service quality on patients’ choices of physicians for their consulting services.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the impact of the service delivery process (i.e., physicians’ login behavior) and service outcomes (i.e., online reputation) on patient consultation.

METHODS

A longitudinal study is conducted to examine the effects of login behavior and online reputation on patient consultation by analyzing short panel data from 779 physicians over five time periods in a Chinese OHC.

RESULTS

The results indicate that physicians’ service delivery process positively affects patient consultation, specifically with respect to login behavior. The maximum number of days of physicians’ no-login should be 20 days. Two online signals (login behavior and online reputation) are not complementary to each other. In addition, the moderating effects of offline signals (i.e., offline status) on two online signals are different, with the relationship between online reputation and patient consultation being positively moderated by offline status.

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to online service quality and e-health literature by investigating the effects of two dimensions of physicians’ service quality on patient consultation and making a clear distinction between the online and offline signals. This study also provides practical implications, indicating that the service delivery process can affect patient consultation alone, rather than a complementary effect with the service outcomes.
Information Overload in Emergency Medicine Physicians: A Multisite Case Study Exploring the Causes, Impact, and Solutions in Four North England National Health Service Trusts (Preprint)
Authors: Sbaffi Laura , Walton James , Blenkinsopp John , Walton Graham
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Information overload is affecting modern society now more than ever because of the wide and increasing distribution of digital technologies. Social media, emails, and online communications among others infuse a sense of urgency as information must be read, produced, and exchanged almost instantaneously. Emergency medicine is a medical specialty that is particularly affected by information overload with consequences on patient care that are difficult to quantify and address. Understanding the current causes of medical information overload, their impact on patient care, and strategies to handle the inflow of constant information is crucial to alleviating stress and anxiety that is already crippling the profession.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify and evaluate the main causes and sources of medical information overload, as experienced by emergency medicine physicians in selected National Health Service (NHS) trusts in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

This study used a quantitative, survey-based data collection approach including close- and open-ended questions. A web-based survey was distributed to emergency physicians to assess the impact of medical information overload on their jobs. In total, 101 valid responses were collected from 4 NHS trusts in north England. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, independent sample two-tailed t tests, and one-way between-group analysis of variance with post hoc tests were performed on the data. Open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key topics.

RESULTS

The vast majority of respondents agreed that information overload is a serious issue in emergency medicine, and it increases with time. The always available culture (mean 5.40, SD 1.56), email handling (mean 4.86, SD 1.80), and multidisciplinary communications (mean 4.51, SD 1.61) are the 3 main reasons leading to information overload. Due to this, emergency physicians experience guideline fatigue, stress and tension, longer working hours, and impaired decision making, among other issues. Aspects of information overload are also reported to have different impacts on physicians depending on demographic factors such as age, years spent in emergency medicine, and level of employment.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a serious concern regarding information overload in emergency medicine. Participants identified a considerable number of daily causes affecting their job, particularly the traditional culture of emergency departments being always available on the ward, exacerbated by email and other forms of communication necessary to maintain optimal, evidence-based practice standards. However, not all information is unwelcome, as physicians also need to stay updated with the latest guidelines on conditions and treatment, and communicate with larger medical teams to provide quality care.